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Category: Health

  • MIL-OSI Security: Sovereign Health Group Founder and Ex-CEO Arrested on Indictment Alleging Long-Running, Massive Fraud Against Health Insurers

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    SANTA ANA, California – The founder and former CEO of the now-defunct Sovereign Health Group addiction treatment provider was arrested today on an eight-count federal grand jury indictment alleging he submitted more than $149 million in fraudulent claims to health insurers – including for fraudulent urinalysis claims – and, in addition, paid more than $21 million in illegal kickbacks for patient referrals.

    Tonmoy Sharma, 61, of Tustin, was arrested this afternoon at Los Angeles International Airport and is expected to make his initial appearance and be arraigned tomorrow in United States District Court in downtown Los Angeles. 

    Sharma is charged with four counts of wire fraud, one count of conspiracy, and three counts of illegal remunerations for referrals to clinical treatment facilities.

    Also arrested today was co-defendant Paul Jin Sen Khor, 45, of Irvine, who worked as Sovereign’s cash management and accounts payable supervisor. Khor is charged with one count of conspiracy and one count of illegal remunerations for referrals to clinical treatment facilities. Khor was arraigned this afternoon in United States District Court in Santa Ana. He pleaded not guilty and a July 29 trial date was scheduled. A federal magistrate judge ordered him released on $20,000 bond.

    According to the indictment, the San Clemente-based Sovereign once was a prominent addiction treatment provider throughout Southern California and several other states. From 2014 to 2020, Sovereign billed private insurance companies for drug addicted and mentally ill patients often at high, out-of-network rates.

    At Sharma’s direction, Sovereign employees aggressively pursued patients through various forms of marketing, directing the patients to contact the company at its toll-free phone number. Once patients called in to Sovereign’s call center, employees used various tactics to enroll patients into the company’s treatment facilities, including misrepresentations. One such misrepresentation was that a patient’s treatment would be paid for by a foundation funded by donations from former Sovereign patients.

    In fact, the foundation was a sham organization and a ruse for Sovereign employees – at Sharma’s direction – to obtain patients’ names, dates of birth, and Social Security numbers for use in surreptitiously obtaining health insurance coverage on their behalf. In order to obtain these private health insurance plans, Sovereign employees, at Sharma’s direction, made false representations on insurance applications, claiming qualifying life events that had not happened in order to obtain new insurance outside the enrollment period and inflating or underreporting their income so the patients would qualify for Affordable Care Act government-subsidized private insurance instead of Medicaid, whose reimbursement rates were significantly lower than private insurers.

    Patients generally did not know that Sovereign would enroll them into these policies or authorize Sovereign to do so. Sovereign employees at times even pretended to be the patients when calling into those insurance companies. Those insurance companies would not have covered any services under plans obtained by these fraudulent means.

    Sovereign also fraudulently billed insurers more than $29 million for urinalysis tests not authorized by the purported ordering health providers. At Sharma’s direction, Sovereign submitted fraudulent claims for comprehensive urinalysis screening, including through its laboratory, Vedanta Laboratories Inc. Sovereign patients were frequently drug tested through both cup testing and comprehensive panel testing. The cup testing returned results within minutes, while the panel testing was much more comprehensive, with results taking several days to return. The comprehensive panel testing screened for dozens of different substances and, accordingly, was billed at a significantly higher rate than cup testing.

    Sharma directed Sovereign employees to frequently administer cup testing and comprehensive panel testing on patients, including comprehensive panel testing up to three times a week. Sovereign submitted thousands of claims to insurance companies, including for comprehensive panel tests that purportedly were authorized by physicians when, in reality, the physicians did not authorize the tests. Sovereign also submitted numerous claims to the insurance companies, including urinalysis tests, after physicians were no longer working at Sovereign. 

    Finally, in addition to the patients obtained through the call center above, Sharma and Khor also procured patients for Sovereign by paying illegal kickbacks to patient brokers. To conceal the nature of these transactions, Sharma and Khor caused Sovereign to enter sham contracts that referred to the brokers’ services as “marketing hours,” a term the brokers used when sending invoices to Sovereign for payment. Sovereign paid more than $21 million in illegal kickbacks for patient referrals.

    An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    If convicted, Sharma would face a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison for each wire fraud count. Both defendants would face up to five years in federal prison for the conspiracy count, and up to 10 years in federal prison for each illegal remunerations count.

    The FBI, the United States Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, and the California Department of Health Care Services are investigating this matter.

    Assistant United States Attorney Solomon Kim of the Major Frauds Section is prosecuting this case.

    MIL Security OSI –

    May 30, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Polis Signs Bills Into Law Expanding Healthcare Services Agricultural Workers; Protecting Colorado From Wildfires; Keeping Colorado Students Safe and Increasing Government Transparency

    Source: US State of Colorado

    KEENESBURG/DENVER – Today, Governor Polis started the day in Keenesburg, signing SB25-128 – Agricultural Worker Service Providers Access Private Property, sponsored by Senators Byron Pelton and Dylan Roberts, and Representatives Karen McCormick and Ty Winter. This law helps ensure agricultural workers have access to health care services when needed. 

    “Colorado is proud of our strong agricultural community and economy. Making sure that Colordans who work in agriculture have access to necessary health care services when needed is critical to ensuring we continue our work to save people money on healthcare and support our farmers and ranchers,” said Governor Polis. 

    Governor Polis also signed SB25-007 – Increase Prescribed Burns, sponsored by Senators Lisa Cutter and Janice Marchman, and Representatives Elizabeth Velasco and Ron Weinberg. This law expands prescribed burn capacity, and strengthens Colorado’s fire mitigation efforts. 

    “Wildfires affect everyone, and in Colorado we are committed to doing everything we can to prevent devastating wildfires and protect our communities. Prescribed burns are an important tool we can use to reduce fire fuel and prevent small flames from becoming major blazes, keeping Coloradans safe and our communities,” said Governor Polis. 

    Governor Polis also signed HB25-1293 – Drug Overdose Education & Opioid Antagonists in School, sponsored by Representative Jackson, Minority Leader Pugliese, and Senators Pelton and Snyder. 

    Governor Polis signed the following bills into law administratively: 

    • HB25-1163 – Free Access to State Parks for Colorado Ute Tribes, sponsored by Representatives Katie Stewart and Rick Taggart, and Senators Dylan Roberts and Cleave Simpson
    • HB25-1294 – Court Costs Assessed to Juveniles, sponsored by Representatives Jamie Jackson and Junie Joseph, and Senators Tony Exum and Julie Gonzales
    • SB25-190 – Offender Release from Custody, sponsored by Senators Matt Ball and Julie Gonzales, and Representatives Jennifer Bacon and Matt Soper
    • SB25-186 – Sunset Workers’ Compensation Providers Accreditation Program, sponsored by Senators Winter and Ball, and Senators Hamrick and Lieder
    • HB25-1240 – Protections for Tenants with Housing Subsidies, sponsored by Representatives Joseph and Froelich, and Senators Winter and Wallace
    • HB25-1219 – Requirements for Better Understanding Metropolitan Districts, sponsored by Representatives Jacque Phillips and Carlos Barron, and Senators Kyle Mullica and Liza Frizell
    • SB25-301 – Remove Authorization Requirement Adjust Chronic Prescription, sponsored by Senators Wallace and Kirkmeyer, and Representatives Lieder and Johnson
    • SB25-118 – Health Insurance Prenatal Care No Cost Sharing, sponsored by Senators – Bridges and Jodeh, and Representatives Stewart and Jackson
    • SB25-296 – Insurance Coverage for Breast Cancer Examinations, sponsored by Senators Michaelson Jenet, and Representatives Bird and Stewart
    • SB25-072 – Concerning the Regulation of Kratom, sponsored by Senators Mullica and Pelton, and Representatives Lindsay and Soper

    Governor Polis vetoed the following bills: 

    • HB25-1122 – Automated Driving System Commercial Motor Vehicle, sponsored by Representatives Sheila Lieder and Chris Richardson, and Senators Tom Sullivan and Larry Liston
    • HB25-1026 – Repeal Copayment for Department of Corrections Inmate Health Care, sponsored by Representatives Michael Carter and Lorena García, and Senators Iman Jodeh and Nick Hinrichsen.
    • HB25-1088 – Costs for Ground Ambulance Services, sponsored by Representatives McCormick and Brown, and Senators Baisley and Mullica
    • HB25-1004 – No Pricing Coordination Between Landlords, sponsored by Representatives Woodrow and Mabrey, and Senators Gonzales and Hinrichsen

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

    May 30, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Brownley, Rivas and Democratic Colleagues Urge Trump Administration to Reverse Life-Threatening Deportation Decision for Four-Year-Old Girl

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Julia Brownley (D-CA)

    Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (CA-26) joined Congresswoman Luz Rivas (CA-29), Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37), California Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff (CA), and 33 of her Democratic colleagues in urging U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem to reconsider the termination of the legal status of S.G.V. (identified by her initials for privacy reasons). S.G.V. is a four-year-old girl from Bakersfield living with short bowel syndrome who is facing deportation and could die if she loses medical care at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. S.G.V. and her family’s story was highlighted in a May 27 Los Angeles Times article. 

    “We urge you to reconsider the termination of S.G.V. and her family’s legal status as S.G.V.’s doctors say she could die within days without treatment,” wrote the members. “Due to S.G.V.’s short bowel syndrome, she receives intensive medical treatments such as: being tethered to feeding tubes 24 hours a day; spending 14 hours each night being hooked up to an intravenous feeding system; and receiving a different type of nutrition via a gastric tube into her stomach four times a day. In 2023, S.G.V. and her family were allowed to enter the U.S. legally on humanitarian grounds.” 

    “Your Department has revoked this child’s legal status in the U.S., which interrupts the urgent, life-saving care she receives at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles every six weeks. We believe this family’s situation clearly meets the need for humanitarian aid and urge you and this Administration to reconsider its decision. It is our duty to protect the sick, vulnerable, and defenseless. Without action, S.G.V. will die. We urge a prompt response from your Department and a swift decision to extend this family’s legal status in the U.S.” 

    The letter was also co-signed by Representatives Nanette Barragán, Salud Carbajal, Greg Casar, Joaquin Castro, Judy Chu, Gilbert Cisneros, Maxine Dexter, Adriano Espaillat, Jim Costa, Veronica Escobar, Laura Friedman, Jesús “Chuy” García, Sylvia Garcia, Daniel Goldman, Jimmy Gomez, Pramila Jayapal, Teresa Leger Fernandez, Ted Lieu, Seth Magaziner, Robert Menendez, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Delia Ramirez, Andrea Salinas, Linda Sánchez, Lateefah Simon, Darren Soto, Jill Tokuda, Norma Torres, Derek Tran, Juan Vargas, Gabe Vasquez, Nydia Velázquez, and Eugene Vindman. 

    The full letter can be found here and below: 

    The Honorable Kristi Noem
    Secretary U.S. Department of Homeland Security
    2707 Martin Luther King Jr Ave SE
    Washington, DC 20528

    Dear Secretary Noem: 

    In April 2025, Deysi Vargas, her husband, and four-year-old daughter, identified as S.G.V., received a notice that their legal status in the United States had been terminated, and in May, Deysi received notice that her employment authorization had also been terminated. S.G.V. suffers from short bowel syndrome, a rare condition that prevents her body from completely absorbing the nutrients of regular food. We urge you to reconsider the termination of S.G.V. and her family’s legal status as S.G.V.’s doctors say she could die within days without treatment. 

    Due to S.G.V.’s short bowel syndrome, she receives intensive medical treatments such as: being tethered to feeding tubes 24 hours a day; spending 14 hours each night being hooked up to an intravenous feeding system; and receiving a different type of nutrition via a gastric tube into her stomach four times a day. In 2023, S.G.V. and her family were allowed to enter the U.S. legally on humanitarian grounds. 

    Your Department has revoked this child’s legal status in the U.S., which interrupts the urgent, life-saving care she receives at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles every six weeks. 

    On the President’s first day in office he issued an Executive Order stating that, “ensuring that the parole authority under section 212(d)(5) of the INA (8 U.S.C. 1182(d)(5)) is exercised on only a case-by-case basis in accordance with the plain language of the statute, and in all circumstances only when an individual alien demonstrates urgent humanitarian reasons or a significant public benefit derived from their particular continued presence in the United States arising from such parole.” 

    We believe this family’s situation clearly meets the need for humanitarian aid and urge you and this Administration to reconsider its decision. It is our duty to protect the sick, vulnerable, and defenseless. Without action, S.G.V. will die. We urge a prompt response from your Department and a swift decision to extend this family’s legal status in the U.S.

    ###

    Issues: 119th Congress, Healthcare, Immigration, Local Issues

    MIL OSI USA News –

    May 30, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Patients and pupils to benefit from school and hospital repairs

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Press release

    Patients and pupils to benefit from school and hospital repairs

    Government investing £1.2 billion to fix crumbling hospitals and schools across England

    • Government to deliver vital maintenance in hospitals to help prevent cancelled appointments and operations   

    • Focus put back on education as classrooms and school facilities upgraded to be safe and warm   

    • Combined £1.2billion funding is part of government’s promise to deliver public infrastructure improvements through its Plan for Change   

    Patients and pupils across England are set to benefit from nearly £1.2billion worth of essential maintenance fixes being rolled out at hospitals and schools.   

    Over 400 hospitals, mental health units and ambulance sites will be handed £750million to tackle long-term problems such as leaky pipes, poor ventilation and electrical issues, helping to prevent thousands of cancelled operations and appointments.   

    And children at 656 schools and sixth forms will benefit from a share of £470million for projects like fixing crumbling roofs and removing dangerous asbestos – restoring pride in our classrooms and undoing years of dangerous neglect.  

    The funding is part of the government’s mission to fix the dire state of public service infrastructure it inherited and deliver investment and reform through its Plan for Change.  

    It will help people benefit from better services and facilities across the health system, and supporting children to get the best start in life.   

    Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Wes Streeting, said:    

    A decade and a half of underinvestment left hospitals crumbling, with burst pipes flooding emergency departments, faulty electrical systems shutting down operating theatres, and mothers giving birth in outdated facilities that lack basic dignity.   

    We are on a mission to rebuild our NHS through investment and modernisation.   

    Patients and staff deserve to be in buildings that are safe, comfortable and fit for purpose. Through our Plan for Change, we will make our NHS fit for the future.

    Fixing the backlog of maintenance at NHS hospitals will help prevent cancellations, with services disrupted over 4,000 times in 2023/24 due to issues with poor quality buildings.   

    A wide range of facilities and services will benefit, including over £100million for maternity units to enable better care for mothers and their newborns. This will fund critical improvements such as replacing outdated ventilation systems in neonatal intensive care units, creating optimal environmental conditions for vulnerable babies and their families during challenging times.  

    The funding will also support schools and sixth form colleges that urgently need repairs – giving parents the confidence that their children are learning in safety and comfort.   

    It is part of the £2.1 billion investment into the school estate this year, as the government forges on with delivering for the public through our Plan for Change – by investing in our children, their futures and the future of this country.   

    Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson, said:   

    The defining image of the school estate under the previous government was children sitting under steel props to stop crumbling concrete falling on their heads. It simply isn’t good enough.  

    Parents expect their children to learn in a safe warm environment. It’s what children deserve, and it is what we are delivering.   

    This investment is about more than just buildings – it’s about showing children that their education matters, their futures matter, and this government is determined to give them the best possible start in life.

    This investment will deliver energy efficient, warm classrooms with safe outdoor spaces that are not just fit for lessons, but for the future. Creating a welcoming and supportive school environment for generations of children so they can achieve and thrive as they progress through their education.    

    The school and hospital funding packages were confirmed in last year’s Autumn Budget, in which an extra £26billion was secured for the NHS.    

    Simon Corben, Director and Head of Profession for NHS Estates and Facilities at NHS England, said:  

    I welcome this funding as a long-overdue step toward tackling the unacceptable state of parts of the NHS estate. Too many buildings have been allowed to fall into disrepair, putting patient safety and staff working conditions at risk. 

    It is now vital that NHS England and local leaders deliver – every pound must be spent wisely, with clear accountability and a laser focus on improving frontline care.

    The government has already delivered over 3 million additional NHS appointments since June 2024, exceeding its 2 million target. Additionally, over 1,000 GP surgeries are being modernised to enable 8.3 million more appointments annually.    

    It has also invested in new technology, including 13 DEXA scanners delivering 29,000 extra bone scans and £70m in radiotherapy machines delivering up to 27,500 additional treatments per year by March 2027.  

    The Department for Education confirmed a £2.1bn investment for the school estate for 2025-26, almost £300 million more than the previous year, to fix the foundations of our school estate.    

    A further £1.4 billion will back the acceleration of the School Rebuilding Programme this year, with a commitment to kickstart projects at 100 schools this year alone.  

    Rejuvenating the school estate by delivering new, high-quality buildings that are not just energy efficient but fit for all pupils needs.  

    This will provide high-tech facilities that will raise the standards of education through new sports halls, IT rooms, school kitchens and playgrounds that children and staff can enjoy for years to come.    

    Projects across schools and hospitals will be delivered during the 2025 to 2026 financial year, with the first upgrades expected to begin this summer.      

    ENDS

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    Updates to this page

    Published 30 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    May 30, 2025

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Post-study outcomes data – technical information

    Source: Tertiary Education Commission

    Post-study outcomes from tertiary education measure where graduates go (their destinations) and how much they earn after completing study.
    The data can be broken down into:

    the level of study on the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF)
    the field of study
    student characteristics (age, gender, region where they lived, etc) and
    the tertiary provider they studied with.

    The data tells you the number of graduates who:

    are in employment
    are in different types of further study
    are on a jobseeker benefit
    are overseas
    have changed their employment or jobseeker status over a period between two years prior to their graduation and the outcome year, or
    are in another (unknown) destination (if they don’t fit any of the above criteria).

    The data also tells you employed graduates’ median and quartile earnings in years 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 after they graduated and, for comparison, median and quartile earnings for employed students two years before their graduation.
    Things to remember when using this data
    Cohorts
    We show outcomes for graduates 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 years after graduation. To create a large enough set of data to analyse across qualification level, subject area, age, gender, ethnicity, etc, we group graduates into four-year cohorts.
    We use the calendar year to measure further tertiary study and the tax year for all other information (employment, income, days overseas and days on benefit).  

    Graduate cohorts which correspond to the results for each year after study

    Year in which we look at what the graduate earned or did

    Cohorts’ year of graduation

    Year after study

    Calendar year

    Tax year

    2019–2022

    1[1]

    2020–2023

    2021–2024

    2017–2020

    3

    2020–2023

    2021–2024

    2015–2018

    5

    2020–2023

    2021–2024

    2013–2016

    7

    2020–2023

    2021–2024

    2011–2014

    9

    2020–2023

    2021–2024

    The same graduate may appear in two different cohorts. A student who graduated in 2020 may have their outcomes measured in the 2021 calendar/2022 tax year for the Year 1 cohort and measured in the 2023 calendar year/2024 tax year for the Year 3 cohort.
    Who is included in the data?
    The outcomes in these spreadsheets are for domestic graduates who completed qualifications at tertiary education providers reporting qualification completions to the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC). This data excludes graduates who were receiving a disability benefit or in a Corrections facility for any period within the outcome year.
    National-level data includes all qualification completions reported to TEC. Provider-level data includes Student Achievement Component-funded providers and Industry Training Organisations. Some smaller providers may not have outcome data if their graduate numbers do not reach the statistical threshold.
    Outcomes are influenced by a range of factors
    Graduates’ outcomes are influenced by a range of factors outside of providers’ control. These include different regional labour markets, individuals’ choices, and graduates’ other qualifications, skills and experience.
    Outcomes are grouped by qualification subject area, not specific qualification
    We’ve used this higher level of grouping because there are often too few graduates at individual qualification level to produce any meaningful data. We have grouped together some qualifications that are likely to give graduates different outcomes. For example, graduates with a Bachelor in Oral Health (needed to become a dental hygienist) and a Bachelor of Dental Surgery (needed to become a dentist) are grouped together under dentistry.
    Older graduates are included in this data
    This data presents earnings and destinations not only for young graduates but for all age groups (under 25 years old, 25–39 years old, and 40 years and over). Older graduates who complete similar qualifications will likely have different outcomes from younger graduates, as other factors such as prior learning and work experience influence outcomes for older graduates. Accordingly, for older graduates traditionally used outcome indicators of earnings, employment, unemployment, and further study might not be enough to define which groups of graduates have relatively better outcomes from their tertiary study.
    To improve outcome information for older graduates, this data includes measures such as:

    change in employment or jobseeker status over a period between two years prior to student’s graduation and the outcome year, and
    employed students’ earnings two years prior to their graduation compared to employed graduates’ earnings in the outcome year.

    Outcomes are included for only a graduate’s highest and latest qualification
    In previous data sets employment outcomes were attributed to all qualifications completed by a graduate.
    In this data we attribute outcomes only to a learner’s highest and latest (by the outcome year) qualification, so a graduate has labour market outcomes attributed only once. The highest and latest qualification completed by a person is derived from all data reported to the TEC or NZQA by tertiary providers and Industry Training Organisations (ITOs). If a learner completed two equal-level qualifications in the same year at an ITO and a provider, we have attributed the outcomes to the ITO qualification, not the provider qualification.
    Other sources of information
    Jobs
    This post-study outcomes data does not give information on earnings and employment prospects for particular occupations. Graduates will often find jobs outside their area of study.
    For more information on expected earnings and job prospects in different professions see Careers.govt.nz’s jobs database.
    Job profiles – Careers.govt.nz
    Qualification information
    This post-study outcomes data does not provide information on specific qualifications at tertiary providers. For information on qualifications and their completion rates, entry requirements, costs and career opportunities visit Careers.govt.nz’s qualifications database.
    Study and training – Careers.govt.nz
    Technical information
    Domestic graduates
    Only domestic graduates are included in post-study outcomes data.
    A domestic graduate lives in New Zealand and has either New Zealand or Australian citizenship, or permanent New Zealand residency.
    Graduate numbers are rounded
    To protect confidentiality all graduate counts are randomly rounded to base 3.[2] Graduate counts below five, including zero counts, are not included.
    Graduate destinations
    Graduates might be counted under multiple destinations.
    When a graduate meets the criteria for more than one destination, they are counted in each of these destinations.

    Destination

    Definition

    Employed

    The graduate had income above 50% of the minimum wage from employment sources, measured over the 12-month period.

    Full-time higher study

    The graduate was enrolled in a formal study of >=0.8 EFTS at an NZQCF level higher than the completed qualification level in the outcome year.

    Full-time non-higher study

    The graduate was enrolled in a formal study of >=0.8 EFTS at an NZQCF level the same as or lower than the completed qualification level in the outcome year.

    Part-time higher study

    The graduate was enrolled in a formal study of 183 days in the outcome year.

    Overseas

    The graduate was overseas for >183 days in the outcome year.

    Moved into employment

    The graduate was not qualified as employed 2 years prior to qualification completion and was employed in the outcome year.

    Moved off benefit

    The graduate met the definition of a jobseeker (as outlined above) 2 years prior to qualification completion and did not meet the definition of a jobseeker in the outcome year.

    Other

    The graduate didn’t meet any of the above criteria, or there was no record in that year for them in the IDI data.

    Measuring earnings
    Gross earnings from employed graduates

    Earnings include taxable earnings from wages and salary, paid parental leave, ACC compensation and self-employment.
    Earnings are measured across graduates who are employed.
    Earnings in tax years 2021–2023 are adjusted with the Labour Cost Index to the March 2024 dollars.
    Earnings are rounded to the nearest $1,000.

    Hours of work
    Earnings will be understated for any qualifications and fields of study where there are significant numbers of young graduates in part-time work or who only work part of the year. This is because no adjustments are made for graduates’ hours of work.
    Fields of study and qualifications
    Defining area of study
    The field of study is determined from the courses graduates take in their study. The New Zealand Standard Classification of Education (NZSCED) is used to classify the fields of study.
    For more information about NZSCED codes, see New Zealand Standard Classification of Education – Education Counts.
    Results are presented at the broad, narrow and detailed NZSCED levels.
    Number of graduates
    Where the total number of graduates was 20 or below, we excluded the results from this data. Take care interpreting earnings and destination results when there is a small number of graduates as the results may fluctuate.
    Merged providers
    Some providers have merged over the period covered by this data. Where this has occurred, we have combined the former providers’ graduate outcomes to give outcomes for the merged provider.
    Earnings data suppression

    Value

    Meaning

    S

    Earnings data in a cell is suppressed due to a low number of employed graduates (under 10 graduates for median earnings and under 20 graduates for lower and upper quartile earnings).

    Disclaimer
    These results are based on information obtained by TEC from Statistics New Zealand’s Integrated Data Infrastructure (IDI). We try to the best of our ability to ensure that these results are true and accurate. However, TEC does not accept any liability for their accuracy or content.           
    These results are not official statistics; they have been created for research purposes from the IDI, which is carefully managed by Stats NZ. For more information about the IDI please see Integrated Data – Stats NZ.
    Access to the data used in this study was provided by Stats NZ under conditions designed to give effect to the security and confidentiality provisions of the Statistics Act 2022. The results presented in this study are the work of the author, not Stats NZ or individual data suppliers.
    The results are based in part on tax data supplied by Inland Revenue to Stats NZ under the Tax Administration Act 1994 for statistical purposes. Any discussion of data limitations or weaknesses is in the context of using the IDI for statistical purposes, and is not related to the data’s ability to support Inland Revenue’s core operational requirements.

    [1] For the example given in the table, the Year 1 cohort takes those who graduated in 2019 and measures their outcomes in the 2020 calendar/2021 tax year; adds those who graduated in 2020 measuring their outcomes in the 2021 calendar/2022 tax year; adds those who graduated in 2021 measuring their outcomes in 2022 calendar/2023 tax year and adds those who graduated in 2022 measuring their outcomes in 2023 calendar/2024 tax year.
    [2] Base 3 refers to a standard arithmetical term, when any number is rounded to the nearest multiple of 3 (eg. 3, 6, 9, etc). The rounding to a higher or lower number is randomly selected to hide the real number of people for confidentiality purposes.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

    May 30, 2025

  • MIL-Evening Report: Earth’s seasonal rhythms are changing, putting species and ecosystems at risk

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Daniel Hernández Carrasco, PhD Candidate in Ecology, University of Canterbury

    Shutterstock/Colin Stephenson

    Seasonality shapes much of life on Earth. Most species, including humans, have synchronised their own rhythms with those of Earth’s seasons.

    Plant growth cycles, the migration of billions of animals, and even aspects of human culture – from harvest rituals to Japanese cherry blossom viewings – are dictated by these dominant rhythms.

    However, climate change and many other human impacts are altering Earth’s cycles. While humans can adapt their behaviour by shifting the timing of crop harvests or Indigenous fire-burning practices, species are less able to adapt through evolution or range shifts.

    Our new research highlights how the impacts of shifting seasons can cascade through ecosystems, with widespread repercussions that may be greater than previously thought.

    This puts species and ecosystems at risk the world over. We are still far from having a full picture of what changes in seasonality mean for the future of biodiversity.

    Almost every ecosystem on Earth has seasons

    From tropical forests to polar ice caps and abyssal depths, the annual journey of Earth around the Sun brings distinct seasons to all corners of the planet.

    These seasonal rhythms shape ecosystems everywhere, whether through monsoonal rains in equatorial regions or the predictable melt of snowpack in mountain ranges.

    But the seasonality of these processes is changing rapidly due to local human impacts. This includes dams in many rivers, which completely and abruptly disrupt their natural flow, and deforestation, which changes the timing of the onset of the rain season.

    These local influences are compounded by climate change, which is systematically modifying seasonal patterns in snow cover, temperature and rainfall around the world.

    Monsoon rains represent one of Earth’s major seasonal cycles.
    Shutterstock/Milju varghese

    From the earlier seasonal melting of glaciers and the snowpack to the disruption of monsoonal rain cycles, the effects of these changes are being felt widely.

    Many important ecological processes we rely on could be affected. A mismatch between plankton blooms and the life cycles of fish could affect the health of fisheries. Tourism dependent on seasonal migrations of large mammals could suffer. Even the regulation of the climate system itself is tightly controlled by seasonal processes.

    Changing seasonality threatens to destabilise key ecological processes and human society.

    Evolutionary adaptations to seasonal fluctuations

    The seasonal rhythms of ecosystems are obvious to any observer. The natural timing of annual flowers and deciduous trees – tuned to match seasonal variations in rainfall, temperature and solar radiation – transforms the colours of whole landscapes throughout the year.

    The arrival and departure of migratory birds, the life cycle of insects and amphibians, and the mating rituals of large mammals can completely change the soundscapes with the seasons.

    These examples illustrate how seasonality acts as a strong evolutionary force that has shaped the life cycles and behaviour of most species. But, in the face of unprecedented changes to Earth’s natural rhythms, these adaptations can lead to complex negative impacts.

    Snowshoe hares are struggling to adapt to shifts in the timing of the first snowfall and melt.
    Shutterstock/Karen Hogan

    For instance, snowshoe hares change coat colour between winter and summer to blend in with their surroundings and hide from predators. They are struggling to adapt to shifts in the timing of the first snow and snowmelt. The impact of changing seasonality on hare populations is linked with changes in predation rates. But predators themselves may also be out of sync with the new onset of seasons.

    Our research highlights that these kinds of complex interactions can propagate impacts through ecosystems, linking individual species’ seasonal adaptations to broader food web dynamics, or even ecosystem functions such as carbon sequestration.

    Although biologists have studied seasonal processes for centuries, we know surprisingly little about how they mediate any ecological impacts of altered seasonality. Our findings show we are likely underestimating these impacts.

    The distinct mechanisms involved deserve further attention. Until we account for these complex processes, we risk overlooking important ecological and human consequences.

    The more we understand, the better prepared we are

    Understanding the extent to which impacts of altered seasonality can interact and propagate from individuals to whole ecosystems is a big challenge. It will require different types of research, complex mathematical modelling and the design of new experiments. But it is not easy to manipulate the seasons in an experiment.

    Scientists have come up with inventive ways of experimentally testing the effects of altered seasonality. This includes manually removing snow early in spring, manipulating rainfall patterns through irrigation and moving plants and animals to places with different seasonality.

    Some researchers have even recovered seeds from centuries-old collections to sprout them and look at how recent changes in climate have affected plant populations.

    These efforts will be of great value for forecasting impacts and designing effective management strategies beneficial for ecosystems and humans alike. Such efforts help to anticipate future shocks and prioritise interventions.

    For instance, understanding the mechanisms that allow native and non-native species to anticipate seasonal changes has proven useful for “tricking” non-native plants into sprouting only in the wrong season. This gives an advantage to native plants.

    Similarly, studies on the molecular mechanisms involved in the response to seasonality can help us determine whether certain species are likely to adapt to further changes in seasonal patterns. This research can also point out genes that could be targeted for improving the resilience and productivity of crops.

    Not only are we likely underestimating the ecological risks of shifting seasons, we tend to forget how much our everyday lives depend on them. As Earth’s rhythms change, the risks multiply. But so does our opportunity to better understand, anticipate and adapt to these changes.

    Daniel Hernández Carrasco receives funding from a Doctoral Scholarship by the University of Canterbury.

    Jonathan Tonkin receives funding from a Rutherford Discovery Fellowship administered by the Royal Society Te Apārangi and the Centres of Research Excellence Bioprotection Aotearoa and Te Pūnaha Matatini.

    – ref. Earth’s seasonal rhythms are changing, putting species and ecosystems at risk – https://theconversation.com/earths-seasonal-rhythms-are-changing-putting-species-and-ecosystems-at-risk-257660

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

    May 30, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: HM1 Audric Gabat Frocking Ceremony, May 29, 2025 [Image 1 of 2]

    Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)

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    SINGAPORE (May 29, 2025) Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Christopher Rafanan, left, assigned to Commander, Logistics Group Western Pacific/Task Force 73 (COMLOG WESTPAC/CTF 73), places the First Class Petty Officer rank tab onto Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Audric Gabat, assigned to COMLOG WESTPAC/CTF-73, during a frocking ceremony on Sembawang Naval Installation, May 29, 2025. COMLOG WESTPAC supports deployed surface units and aircraft carriers, along with regional Allies and partners, to facilitate patrols in the South China Sea, participation in naval exercises and responses to natural disasters. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Moises Sandoval/Released)

    Date Taken: 05.29.2025
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    This work, HM1 Audric Gabat Frocking Ceremony, May 29, 2025 [Image 2 of 2], by PO2 Moises Sandoval, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.

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    MIL Security OSI –

    May 30, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Marshall Applauds EPA for Awarding Nearly $4 Million in Grants to Clean Up Communities Across Kansas

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Kansas Roger Marshall

    Washington – U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kansas) released the following statement after U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin announced the selection of nearly $4 million in Brownfields Grants to clean up Kansas communities.
    “I am grateful to EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin for awarding nearly $4 million to the Sunflower State,” Senator Marshall said. “This funding will help us revitalize our communities, create opportunities for growth, and protect Kansans’ health. Thanks to President Donald Trump’s leadership, the EPA is restoring American greatness by ensuring we have the cleanest air, land, and water while being good stewards of American taxpayer dollars.”
    “The $267 million in Brownfield Grants will transform contaminated properties into valuable spaces for businesses and housing, creating new opportunities that strengthen local economies and directly benefit American families,” EPA Administrator Zeldin said. “EPA’s Brownfields program demonstrates how environmental stewardship and economic prosperity complement each other. Under President Trump’s leadership, EPA is Powering the Great American Comeback, ensuring our nation has the cleanest air, land, and water while supporting sustainable growth and fiscal responsibility.”
    EPA Region 7 Administrator Jim Macy, Kansas Department of Health and Environment Secretary Janet Stanek, and Mitchell County Economic Development Director Emily Benedick also joined Senator Marshall and EPA Administrator Zeldin in releasing the following statements.
    “EPA Region 7 is proud to work with our partners across the state of Kansas, advancing cooperative federalism and empowering local and state partners to take the lead in revitalizing their communities,” EPA Region 7 Administrator Jim Macy said. “This collaborative approach ensures fiscal responsibility, promotes economic development, and transforms potentially contaminated properties into clean, usable land that supports long-term growth and sustainability.”
    “The Community Wide Assessment Grant for State and Tribal will help increase property values and create jobs across Kansas,” Kansas Department of Health and Environment Secretary Janet Stanek said. “Receiving these substantial dollars to support the redevelopment of brownfields throughout the state not only benefits the environment, but it elevates communities and industries by turning underutilized and vacant properties into productive ones. This is a win for the entire state.”
    “The City of Beloit is incredibly grateful and excited to receive EPA Brownfield Cleanup funding. This funding enables our community to repurpose two vacant buildings into housing, a critical need in our rural community,” Mitchell County Economic Development Director Emily Benedick said. “This grant gives us the peace of mind to know we are providing a safe environment for future housing development.”
    The following organizations in Kansas have been selected to receive EPA Brownfields funding:

    The City of Beloit has been selected to receive $418,620. Grant funds will be used to clean up the Kansas Industrial School Campus, located at 1720 N. Hersey Avenue. The 0.8-acre cleanup site operated as a juvenile detention center for girls and has been vacant since 2009. It is contaminated with inorganic contaminants. Grant funds will also be used to conduct community engagement activities.
    The Flint Hills Regional Council has been selected to receive $1 million. The grant will be used to capitalize a revolving loan fund (RLF), from which Flint Hills Regional Council Inc. will provide up to three loans and up to two subgrants to support cleanup activities. Grant funds will also be used to establish the RLF, market the program, and support community engagement activities. RLF activities will focus on Chase, Geary, Lyon, Morris, Pottawatomie, Riley, and Wabaunsee counties, with a focus on the cities of Herington, Junction City, and Manhattan.
    The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has been selected to receive $2 million. Community-wide grant funds will be used to conduct 116 Phase I and Phase II environmental site assessments. Grant funds will also support the development of at least three cleanup plans and at least one community meeting annually, with each community to provide general updates on the grant. The target area for this grant includes the Oak Grove neighborhood in Kansas City and the cities of Eureka and El Dorado. Priority sites include Land Bank properties in Oak Grove; a former horse racetrack, a former nursing home, sites adjacent to the existing fire department to accommodate its expansion, Memorial Hall, and the former Masonic Lodge in Eureka; and the Grizzly Development in El Dorado.
    The City of Topeka has been selected to receive $500,000. Community-wide grant funds will be used to conduct eight Phase I and three Phase II environmental site assessments. Grant funds will also be used to inventory brownfield sites and support reuse planning and community engagement activities. The target area for this grant is the City of Topeka. Priority sites include the 36-acre, former White Lakes Mall and two former schools.

    Background:
    EPA’s Brownfields program began in 1995 and has provided nearly $2.9 billion in Brownfield Grants to assess and clean up contaminated properties and return blighted properties to productive reuse. To date, brownfield investments have leveraged over $42 billion in cleanup and redevelopment. Over the years, the relatively small investment of federal funding created over 220,500 jobs from both public and private sources.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    May 30, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Browning man found guilty of attempted strangulation and assault charges on Blackfeet Indian Reservation

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    GREAT FALLS – A Browning man who assaulted a woman on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation was found guilty today, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.

    Following a one-and-a-half-day trial, a federal jury found William Alvin Potts, 62, guilty of attempted strangulation and assault by striking, beating, or wounding. Potts faces 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and 3 years of supervised release.

    Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided and will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing was set for October 8, 2025. Potts will remain released on conditions pending further proceedings.

    The government alleged in court documents that on June 28, 2024, Potts physically assaulted Jane Doe. That morning a verbal argument escalated to name-calling. Potts then threw a chair to the side and grabbed Jane Doe by the neck. He pushed her backward while applying pressure to her throat and neck. Eventually he pushed her into the corner of the entry wall to the living room. Potts pushed her backward for approximately ten feet, at which point, their legs tangled, and Doe fell to the ground. Potts landed on top of Jane Doe and proceeded to physically strike her with his fists. A witness stopped the assault and physically pulled Potts off Jane Doe. Jane Doe experienced significant pain after the assault and sought treatment at the Browning Community Hospital. Doe suffered a spinal fracture and continues to experience pain.

    Potts was interviewed by law enforcement and admitted to pushing Doe. He said he pushed her to make her go down the hall and they then both fell. He denied striking her.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Kalah Paisley prosecuted the case. The investigation was conducted by the FBI and Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services.

    This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN.

    XXX

    MIL Security OSI –

    May 30, 2025

  • MIL-Evening Report: People with disability are dying from cancers we can actually prevent, our study shows

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Yi Yang, Research Fellow, Social Epidemiology, Melbourne Disability Institute, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne

    Chona Kasinger/Disabled and Here, CC BY-SA

    People with disability are missing out on screening programs that could help detect cancer early, and after diagnosis, are less likely to survive, our study shows.

    Overall, this means people with disability are more likely to die from cancer than people without disability.

    We draw together evidence showing the striking inequity at the heart of current approaches to controlling cancer.

    But there are ways to improve access to the types of screening programs and cancer services many people without disability use routinely.

    What we did and what we found

    We reviewed evidence from 73 studies from around the world. These studies compared cancer outcomes in people with disability to those without.

    Let’s start with cancer screening, one way to prevent deaths from cancer. Screening picks up early signs of cancer or can prevent it from developing into a problem if found early enough. Early detection usually means more treatment options and higher chances of a good outcome.

    However, our review found people with disability are missing out on these life-saving screening programs all around the world, including for breast, cervical and bowel cancer.

    In fact, some studies in our review showed these cancers are more likely to be diagnosed at an advanced stage in people with disability.

    Once diagnosed, people with disability are still at a disadvantage. We found lower survival rates than cancer patients without disability.

    This could be because of delayed diagnosis and inaccessible treatment, and we’d need further research to be sure. But we do have relevant evidence from some studies.

    A UK study of cancer deaths in people with intellectual disability found more than a third had their cancer diagnosed after going to the emergency department. Almost half of the cancers in the study were already at an advanced stage when diagnosed.

    Another review of global evidence found cancer patients with disability receive poorer quality cancer care. This included delays in treatment, being undertreated or having excessively invasive treatment. People with disability also had less access to in-hospital services and pain medication.

    From diagnosis to treatment, global evidence shows people with disability are being excluded from health services that many people without disability routinely access and benefit from.

    The situation is no different in Australia and it is costing lives.

    In previous work, we found cancer is a leading cause of earlier deaths among Australians with disability. It’s the cause of about 20% of the extra deaths we see in people with disability compared to people without.

    Why is this happening?

    We clearly need to do more to improve health care for people with disability. But we also need to take action in other areas to address underlying issues.

    People with disability are more likely to be poor and live in disadvantaged circumstances than the rest of the Australian population, which may put them at higher risk of cancer.

    Many factors that cause cancer – for example, smoking, unaffordable healthy food, and drinking high levels of alcohol – disproportionately impact disadvantaged groups, including people with disability.

    Many people with disability live with additional health conditions, which can lead to a lack of attention to routine issues. This can result in cancer screening and routine care becoming less of a priority.

    Buildings where services are provided and medical diagnostic equipment is located are not always accessible for people with disability.

    The health system itself can be inaccessible, with little support to help people with disability access services. For instance, navigating cancer care can be overwhelming, especially for people who need support for daily activities, transport or communication.

    People with disability, especially with intellectual disability, need extra time and support to give informed consent to screening, treatment or procedures – resources and time particularly overstretched in public health systems.

    People with disability can also experience both direct and indirect discrimination in health care, which lead to poorer outcomes. This includes discriminatory attitudes towards people with disability and their carers, and making assumptions about a patient based on their disability.

    Health systems need to allow for extra time to get informed consent.
    Media_Photos/Shutterstock

    What can we do about it?

    For cancer control to be inclusive and work for people with disability, we need to look at:

    • prevention – public health interventions, such as quit smoking or healthy lifestyle programs, need to be co-designed with and tailored to people with disability

    • early detection – national screening programs must develop strategies and take active steps to include people with disability. Clinics need to be physically accessible, information needs to be available in a range of accessible formats, and extra time needs to be allocated to get genuine informed consent

    • ensuring people with disability have a voice – cancer care needs to be tailored to an individual person, as everyone’s needs are different. We need to support and include people with disability in conversations about their care so they can make informed decisions. This means providing information in ways that work for them, and allowing time to understand and ask questions

    • training health professionals to understand and respond to the needs of people with disability and make the adjustments required for optimal cancer care, particularly for people with an intellectual disability.

    Yi Yang’s research is supported by a postdoctoral fellowship from the Melbourne Disability Institute and an Early Career Researcher Grant from the University of Melbourne. Yi Yang has conducted commissioned work for the Australian Department of Social Services (inequalities in NDIS), the Victorian Department of Families Fairness and Housing (NDIS service use in Victoria), and the Queensland Department of Seniors, Disability Services, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships (inequalities in NDIS service use in regional and remote Queensland).

    George Disney receives funding from the NHMRC and has conducted commissioned work for the Australian Department of Social Services (NDIS service use), the Victorian Department of Families Fairness and Housing (inequalities in NDIS service use), and the Queensland Department of Seniors, Disability Services, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships (NDIS service use in regional and remote Queensland).

    Kirsten Deane is a member of the consortium receiving funding from the Commonwealth Department of Health for the Centre of Excellence in Intellectual Disability Health. Melbourne Disability Institute also receives funding from the Department of Social Services for the Australian Disability Dialogue and for the Centre for Inclusive Employment. MDi also received funding from the Commonwealth, Victorian and Queensland governments to conduct research into inequities in NDIS funding and services.

    – ref. People with disability are dying from cancers we can actually prevent, our study shows – https://theconversation.com/people-with-disability-are-dying-from-cancers-we-can-actually-prevent-our-study-shows-257456

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

    May 30, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Pressley Delivers Keynote at Boston University School of Public Health Convocation

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07)

    “A decision to pursue a career in public health is a noble and worthwhile decision, and to do so especially right now, is in and of itself, an act of radical courage.”

    “Keep dreaming and remain in unapologetic and in active pursuit of making those dreams a reality, just as you did with your degree. Change can’t wait. And neither can the world—for you.”

    BOSTON – In case you missed it, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) delivered the keynote address at the Boston University School of Public Health’s (BUSPH) 2025 Convocation in which she shared a powerful and personal message of hope, urgency, and moral clarity. In her remarks, Rep. Pressley described her own journey at Boston University, discussed the critical role of public health professionals amidst the Trump Administration’s anti-health, anti-science, and anti-research agenda, and encouraged graduates to continue doing the work necessary to build a more just and healthy world.

    A transcript of the Congresswoman’s remarks, as delivered, is available below, and the full video is available here.

    Transcript: Rep. Ayanna Pressley’s Keynote Address at Boston University School of Public Health’s Convocation
    May 17, 2025

    Thank you, Dean Stein, for that warm welcome and introduction. I am so deeply disappointed to be joining you by Zoom. This is what you call a hard pivot. I was in the airport for some seven hours—planes, trains and automobiles trying to get to you all. 

    I’m so sorry that weather got in the way of that, but I am so glad that I’m joining you, at least virtually, because nothing ultimately was going to stop me from congratulating the BU School of Public Health on this incredible milestone in your life and this incredible occasion.

    And it’s full circle in so many ways—you know, for me, as I’ve said many times before, Chicago is the city that raised me, Boston is the city that changed me, and Boston University had so much to do with that. So again, I’m so grateful and humbled to be invited to be your convocation speaker this year. 

    Again, Boston University, even virtually, it’s good to be in community with you. Chicago is a city that raised me, Boston is the city that changed me, and Boston University is the place that forever changed the trajectory of my life. 

    It is the place where I arrived as an idealistic teenager, eager to continue my education and expand my horizons. 

    So what a gift, truly, to share this life milestone and achievement for these 440 scholars and very soon graduates,  the Class of 2025. 

    This is one of my favorite times of the year: commencement. A time to pause and recognize the extraordinary achievements of students here at BU and beyond, who have persevered and sacrificed in order to make this day a reality for themselves and their families. 

    Now I don’t know each of your stories, but I know that you each have one. I know you’ve overcome life obstacles. I know that there were days you questioned what it’s all for and wanted to quit—where you were overwhelmed by life, fatigue, self doubt. But you persisted. And I’m so damn glad that you did.

    A decision to pursue a career in public health is a noble and worthwhile decision, and to do so right now—to do so, especially right now, is in and of itself, an act of radical courage.

    An act of faith in a belief in something greater, a belief that another world is possible—one not dominated by greed or a culture of grievance, one that sees and centers the humanity, dignity, and health of all people. 

    As you all know, while we may be in the wealthiest nation in the world, we also face unacceptable and persistent disparities in outcomes that are too often determined by the zip code you live in or the color of your skin. 

    To be clear, these outcomes are human made. They are the consequence of moral failings, budgetary neglect, and policy violence. 

    You need look no further than the case study of the Massachusetts 7th, right here, where a simple three mile bus ride from Harvard to Roxbury sees life expectancy drop by 30 years. 

    No doubt you’ve heard this statistic before—you may have even heard me recite it before. I imagine folks are tired of hearing it, but I don’t care, because what matters most is how tired people are of living it. 

    These are the challenges that the class of 2025 will face head on, against the backdrop of an anti-science, anti-research, anti-data, anti-equity, anti-health, anti-people agenda. 

    The essential mission of public health is under attack right now. The landscape you will be forced to navigate is unprecedented. The systems that public health professionals have poured their sweat equity into building are being dismantled with carelessness and a cruelty that is shocking, that will have devastating consequences for generations.

    There is a greed that pulls too many, to look past the humanity of those who are struggling or less fortunate. These decisions are driven by greed—and cruelty is the point.

    Some people think cutting pediatric cancer research is a fair trade for an unnecessary tax cut. Some people think taking food out of the mouths of hungry children to pay for a private jet is acceptable. Some people think government efficiency means making people hungrier and sicker. 

    It is easy to lose hope in the overwhelm of it all. In fact, that is just the point. That is the design of it all. 

    The current occupant of the White House and his dangerous conspirators want you to see their dark vision for our country as an inevitable fate, but I know better. You know better. We know better.

    We possess the superpower that is hope. Hope that is strengthened by the moral clarity and resolve each of you have demonstrated to arrive at this very day. 

    You have chosen to devote your lives to literally saving lives. 

    Please hear me when I say you have made the right choice. You are on the right path. 

    It is the brilliance and impatience of your generation who did not come to play, who will see us through these turbulent times.

    And when we get to the other side of this—and we will—you will be able to tell your children and your grandchildren about where you stood and the choices you made. 

    You’ll be able to tell them when everything was at stake, when it would have been easier and perhaps even safer, to retreat, to be silent, to change paths—you held firm. 

    You chose to stand for truth. You chose to stand for justice. You chose to stand for your neighbor, by your neighbor, and for humanity. You chose to stand for public health because you believe like I do, that our greatest wealth as a nation is the health of our people. 

    Here in Massachusetts and in Boston, we are lucky to have some of the brightest minds in public health, in the arts, in biotech, in higher education, and on and on. I know that the amazing faculty and dedicated staff here at BU have prepared you well to join that distinguished club.

    Whether you are preparing to join the workforce or planning to continue your education, just know that we need you. 

    We need your ideas and idealism. We need your passion and perspectives. We need your empathy and expertise. And I know the diversity of this year’s class will only serve to strengthen the solutions to our most pressing challenges. 

    You know, it’s hard to believe diversity is more frightening to some than a dictator and the rise of fascism. It’s hard to believe there are men in leadership who care more about growing their millions and billions than preventing measles outbreaks. And yet, here we are. 

    But I digress. While the current occupant of the White House carries out a coordinated attack on our public health systems, you are prepared to stand in the gap. 

    From the Black maternal health crisis to the opioid epidemic to the lingering impacts of COVID and those living with long COVID, there is no shortage of work to be done. As the Congresswoman who represents Massachusetts’ 7th, one of the most unequal districts in our Commonwealth and country across all outcomes, especially health — I know the need for care is great. 

    Our communities need you. Our communities deserve you. The years you have spent learning, growing, and forging partnerships here at Boston University will be brought to our nonprofits, our hospitals, our board rooms—and we will be the better for it. 

    For many, you may be the first person in your family to receive a master’s or a doctorate—impressive achievements that I hope will carry you in difficult times.

    Your next role will have its difficulties. You may be in rooms where no one else looks like you, grew up where you did, or shares your background. While that can be daunting, it is also essential in order for our communities to have the best policies.

    There have been times in my life, from my first internship while a student at BU—at a satellite office in Roxbury, working for former Congressman Joseph P. Kennedy II—all the way to my own time in Congress, where I was the only Black woman in the room.

    And when I entered, I called the question, I raised different questions that would not have come up otherwise. We’re all better served when solutions are being developed through a diverse prism, not through one that is monolithic and homogenized. 

    This is why personnel is policy. We live intersectional lives that demand intersectional policies. Any organization can’t be its best if you do not have a diversity of perspective, opinion, and thought around the table. 

    And in this work, I have relied on and benefited from two Boston University School of Public Health grads to legislate health, wellness, and justice. As a Boston City Councilor, my longtime Chief of Staff, Jessica Ridge, was a proud BU School of Public Health graduate, and her experience here — her unique lens and attention to the intersectional nature of health outcomes — were critical to our policy agenda.

    From fighting for more walkable sit down restaurants and communities to literally rewriting the sex ed curriculum at Boston Public Schools, she connected the policy decisions to outcomes. And together, we centered the people who stood to be the most impacted in crafting the solutions. 

    That’s where my ethos, “the people closest to the pain should be closest to the power, driving and informing the policy making,” came from. The practice of cooperative governing, being proximate to those closest to the pain, to better understand the nuances, complexities and intersectionalities, but also to harness the best solutions. 

    That practice continued in Congress. My first senior advisor in DC, Lynese Wallace, used what she learned on campus and her own lived experiences as a Black woman to shepherd our shared work to address the Black maternal mortality crisis. 

    Now for you. There is a set path laid before you as a researcher, clinician, practitioner, policymaker, or whatever role sings to your soul and your passions. 

    I know the degree you walk out of this ceremony with today will give you the foundation to make a difference. It has to me, and the constituents that I serve.

    And ultimately, we are all better served by the policies advanced when we include different approaches and perspectives in writing them. 

    As a former BU student, I’m especially proud that the School of Public Health has not in any way run away or retreated from your commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, even as assaults on these programs and initiatives rage on across the country. I hope that your courage is contagious.

    While there are active efforts underway to perpetuate fiction rather than to teach facts, it is a fact that systemic oppression, codified in our laws and budgets, has discriminately harmed women, people of color, the LGBTQIA community, persons with disabilities, and other underserved communities in this country. 

    I’m so glad that you have been called. I’m so glad that you have been compelled to pursue a career in public health because you want to undo the harms of past injustices and prevent future harms. You want policies and systems that are just, equitable, and people-centered. 

    It is the challenge and the responsibility before each of us during these deeply consequential times to summon our unique gifts and talents in service to our communities to mitigate harm and to advance progress. 

    The moment in time — this moment in time — isn’t merely about how to survive the next four years. It is about shaping the next 100 years. 

    And I am enlisting each of you as architects in that shaping. I believe it is possible. I believe another world is possible. You do too.

    Cling to that and pass it on. Radical work begins with a radical dream. 

    I dream of a world where health equity is a given, not an afterthought. 

    I dream of a world where Black men grow old. 

    I dream of a world where gender affirming care is a right, and trans children are not political props. 

    I dream of a world where pain is believed — everyone’s pain is believed — in healthcare settings. 

    I dream of a world where you can be Black and birthing and safe and live to raise your child. 

    I dream of a world where housing and healthcare are rights, not privileges. 

    I dream of a world where no one knows hunger, water is drinkable, air is breathable.

    Radical work begins with a radical dream. 

    Graduates, keep dreaming and remain in unapologetic and active pursuit of making those dreams a reality, just as you did with your degree.

    Change can’t wait. And neither can the world for you. 

    Congratulations, graduates!

    MIL OSI USA News –

    May 30, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Shaheen, Collins Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Expand Access to Diabetes Self-Management Training and Lower Treatment Costs

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Jeanne Shaheen
    **Bipartisan Bill Would Expand Access to Services That Improve Wellness & Reduce Risk of Diabetes-Related Death or Heart Attack for Diabetic Patients**
    (Washington, DC) – Today, U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Susan Collins (R-ME), co-chairs of the Senate Diabetes Caucus, reintroduced the Expanding Access to Diabetes Self-Management Training Act. This bipartisan legislation would expand Medicare coverage for diabetes self-management training (DSMT) sessions, where diabetes educators help train Medicare patients on how to manage their glucose, maintain a healthy weight, eat healthy foods, manage their insulin levels and improve general care for their diabetes. DSMT is associated with a reduction in risk for diabetes-related death and heart attack and, importantly, leads to improved self-care behavior and wellness, which greatly reduces hospital care costs.  “Diabetes is a lifelong condition that affects millions of Americans. Expanding access to diabetes self-management training will allow patients to improve their well-being and live healthier lives while being more self-sufficient in their care,” said Senator Shaheen. “Our bipartisan legislation would lower the cost of treatment for patients with diabetes and I’m proud to work across the aisle to continue supporting diabetes treatment, research and investment.”  “Diabetes self-management training equips Americans with diabetes with the tools they need to successfully manage their disease,” said Senator Collins. “By supporting education and patient engagement, our bipartisan bill would improve health outcomes, enhance quality of life, and reduce health care costs by helping to prevent complications and hospitalizations.”
    “The Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists (ADCES) applauds and thanks our champions, Senators Shaheen and Collins, for introducing legislation that would improve access to diabetes care and education for Medicare beneficiaries,” said ADCES President Veronica Brady, PhD, RN, FNP-P, BC-ADM, CDCES. “DSMT services help individuals with diabetes improve their health and reduce complications which in turn can decrease health care costs.”?? 
    38.4 million Americans live with diabetes and 1 in 3 adults have prediabetes, a condition that is known to progress to diabetes without early intervention, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States and can lead to many other chronic diseases and conditions, such as blindness and kidney failure. As one of the most expensive chronic diseases, diabetes costs the American health care system billions of dollars each year. Overall, one in every ten health care dollars is spent on diabetes and its complications, and one in every three Medicare dollars is spent on the condition.  Earlier this week, Shaheen and Collins introduced the Promoting Access to Diabetic Shoes Act, new legislation that would improve care for patients with diabetes by allowing nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician associates/physician assistants (PAs)—who often act as sole primary care providers for many patients with diabetes—to prescribe therapeutic shoes.   
    As co-chairs of the U.S. Senate Diabetes Caucus, Shaheen and Collins have led action in the U.S. Senate to advance priorities that will lower the costs of insulin, invest in treatment and prioritize diabetes research. Their bipartisan Improving Needed Safeguards for Users of Lifesaving Insulin Now (INSULIN) Act would comprehensively address the skyrocketing costs of insulin, removing barriers to care and making it more accessible for millions more Americans.? The Senators have also pushed for passage of their bicameral, bipartisan Strengthening Collective Resources for Encouraging Education Needed (SCREEN) for Type 1 Diabetes Act, to improve early detection and screening for type 1 diabetes.   

    MIL OSI USA News –

    May 30, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Hassan Recognizes Catherine Reed of Hanover as May’s Granite Stater of the Month

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Maggie Hassan
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan recognized Catherine Reed of Hanover as May’s Granite Stater of the Month. Catherine started an innovative program at the Dartmouth Cancer Center to provide food assistance to cancer patients, helping them access fresh and healthy food that is donated by local nonprofits.  
    While Catherine was working at the Dartmouth Cancer Center as a social worker, she discovered that there was a significant gap in resources for her patients. She realized that there were very few options for food assistance and that the stigma surrounding food insecurity stopped many of her patients from asking for help. Partnering with her coworker, Chelsey Canavan, Catherine was able to open the Food-Is-Medicine Pantry. 
    Through her work as a social worker, Catherine saw first-hand the impact that food assistance can have for cancer patients and not only started this pantry, but then further expanded it after its initial success. The program has now grown to include all patients at the Cancer Center. For each patient who chooses to participate, their entire family is provided with fresh food.  
    Catherine’s attentiveness to her patients is a great example of the Granite State spirit of going above and beyond for your community. She saw a problem, and did not look around for someone else to solve it. She got to work. Her determination and her compassion is why Senator Hassan named her May’s Granite Stater of the Month.
    Senator Hassan launched the “Granite Stater of the Month” initiative in 2017 to recognize outstanding New Hampshire citizens who go above and beyond to help their neighbors and make their communities stronger. To nominate a New Hampshire citizen to be a “Granite Stater of the Month,” constituents can complete the nomination form here. 
    To read Senator Hassan’s statement for the Congressional Record, see below.
    I am honored to recognize Catherine Reed of Hanover as May’s Granite Stater of the Month. Catherine started a food pantry, called the Food-is-Medicine Pantry, at the Dartmouth Cancer Center when she saw how many of her cancer patients needed food assistance.   
    Three years ago, Catherine was working at the Dartmouth Cancer Center as a social worker when she discovered that there was a significant gap in resources for her patients. She was helping a patient get assistance with paying for rent, car payments, and fuel oil, but learned that the patient was also struggling to afford their groceries. Catherine realized that there were very few options for food assistance for her patients, and the stigma surrounding food insecurity stopped many of her patients from asking for help. Catherine decided to take action, and with the help of a coworker, Chelsey Canavan, Catherine secured funding for a food pantry at the Dartmouth Cancer Center, with fresh and healthy donations provided by a local nonprofit organization.   
    Catherine knew that in order for the food pantry to improve the lives of her patients, she needed to make sure that anyone who needed help was comfortable asking for it. She explained to her patients that proper nutrition is a part of the treatment for their cancer, because the stronger that someone goes into treatment, the stronger they can come out of it. Catherine took grocery orders from her patients daily and delivered the groceries to people’s cars before they left in order to make things as easy as possible for them.  
    Catherine saw first-hand the difference that food assistance makes for cancer patients. She began working to expand the food pantry program, including collecting data, presenting a poster at an oncology conference, contacting a hospital in Tennessee to learn about their food pantry so that she could model best practices, and creating a referral system to bring more patients into the program. The program’s eligibility has grown to include all patients at the center, and for each patient who chooses to participate, their entire family is provided with fresh and healthy food harvested and delivered by local organizations.   
    Catherine’s attentiveness to her patients is a great example of the Granite State spirit of going above and beyond for your community. She saw a problem, and did not look around for someone else to solve it. She got to work. Her determination and her compassion is why I am proud to name her May’s Granite Stater of the Month.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    May 30, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Hassan Hosts Discussion in Nashua on Threats to Health Care Under Republican Tax Bill

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Maggie Hassan
    NASHUA – U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan heard directly this week from Lamprey Health Care leaders, other Nashua-area health care providers, and a Granite State Medicaid recipient about the importance of protecting Medicaid, Medicare, and the Affordable Care Act. This discussion comes as President Trump and Congressional Republicans continue their efforts to gut the health care that millions of Americans rely on in order to pay for tax breaks for corporate special interests and billionaires.  
    “President Trump and Congressional Republicans continue to push forward a plan that will make severe health care cuts, while also giving tax breaks to billionaires and corporate special interests… They are paying for these tax breaks by cutting Medicaid and taking health care coverage away from about 36,000 Granite Staters,” said Senator Hassan. “At a time when families are struggling with rising costs… I just can’t think of a worse idea than what the Administration and Congressional Republicans are proposing, which is to make it harder to afford health care, too.” 
    Senator Hassan, Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Subcommittee on Health, has been hearing directly from Granite Staters about the importance of safeguarding Medicaid, Medicare, and the Affordable Care Act, and has been voicing her opposition to the GOP’s plan to cut these programs. A recent analysis from the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office found that because the Congressional Republican plan increases the deficit by $2.3 trillion, it will trigger automatic cuts of $490 billion to Medicare. More than 60 million American seniors are enrolled in Medicare. An additional recent analysis of the Republican tax plan estimates that 36,856 Granite Staters will lose their health insurance by 2034 because of proposed cuts to Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act.   

    MIL OSI USA News –

    May 30, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Grassley Exposes Biden-Harris Backlog of Criminal Complaints in Unaccompanied Migrant Children Program

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Iowa Chuck Grassley
    BUTLER COUNTY, IOWA – Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) today released a Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) summary revealing thousands of concerning reports were identified in the Biden-Harris administration’s unaccompanied alien children (UC) program, but left unresolved, including cases of potential trafficking and fraud. 
    The Trump administration is now working to process 65,605 reports concerning migrant children, which were ignored or dismissed during the previous administration. These reports include 56,591 notifications of concern, 7,346 reports of human trafficking and 1,688 fraud leads. In a little over 100 days, the Trump administration has processed over 28 percent of the Biden-Harris backlog, resulting in 528 investigative leads, 36 investigations accepted for prosecution by U.S. Attorneys, seven indictments, 25 arrest warrants, 11 arrests and three convictions.
    “My oversight exposed the Biden-Harris administration for placing unaccompanied migrant children with dangerous sponsors and actively obstructing law enforcement and Congress’ efforts to rescue vulnerable kids. I applaud the Trump administration for its swift action to protect unaccompanied migrant children by addressing the concerning reports the Biden-Harris administration shelved,” Grassley said. “I look forward to working with Secretary Kennedy to ensure justice is served.”
    Read Grassley’s full letter to HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. HERE.
    Background:
    Grassley has spearheaded efforts to protect unaccompanied migrant children from exploitation and abuse for more than a decade.
    Last year, he submitted a law enforcement referral, including legally protected whistleblower disclosures, to the Department of Homeland Security and Federal Bureau of Investigation flagging potentially criminal activity in the UC program. Homeland Security Investigations used this referral to identify over 100 suspicious UC sponsors. However, the Biden-Harris administration failed to fully respond to two thirds of the subpoenas issued by law enforcement as a result of Grassley’s referral. At Grassley’s request, President Trump’s HHS has pledged to review compliance with those subpoenas to help law enforcement find and rescue children, and shut down possible trafficking networks. 
    This Congress, the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General published a report which validated Grassley’s findings and confirmed the Biden-Harris administration lost track of hundreds-of-thousands of migrant children, placed children with dangerous sponsors and restricted information sharing with law enforcement. 
    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

    May 30, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Reverend Warnock Leads Fight for, Colleagues Urge Full CDC Funding

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock – Georgia

    Senators Reverend Warnock, Ossoff, and 28 Senators pressed Senate Appropriators stressing the need for full funding for the Georgia-based CDC to protect the centers’ national security and public health work

    Earlier this year, Senator Warnock led the charge in demanding answers about the termination of 20,000 full time staff at HHS, including thousands of CDC employees

    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) led 29 Senate colleagues in urging Senate leadership to work across party lines and protect the mission of the Georgia-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) by providing at or near $9.683 billion in support of the agency. In a letter sent to the Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies, Senators Warnock, Jon Ossoff (D-GA), and 28 other Senate colleagues stressed the importance of protecting the CDC’s national security and public health work.

    “During the first several months of 2025, the Trump administration fired thousands of dedicated public health professionals who have devoted their life’s work to the health, safety, and security of our constituents. These mass terminations not only destabilize our country’s public health infrastructure, but they also put our economy at risk when people get sick, and no one is there to respond,” the senators said.

    “These cuts will not make American’s healthy. The CDC must remain the world’s preeminent public health agency and to do so, the CDC must have the tools it needs to continue its work. We support robust funding for CDC’s response efforts to domestic health threats, much of which flows through state and local public health agencies,” they continued.

    At the conclusion of the letter, the Democratic senators emphasize their willingness to work with their Republican counterparts on legislation that can pass the Senate.

    “In 2023, Congress, on a bipartisan basis, affirmed the importance of CDC by requiring its director to be confirmed by the Senate, which was a critical step to bolstering the public’s trust in the CDC. By prioritizing funding for its essential programs, including non-communicable disease prevention, global health initiatives, data modernization, and workplace safety, Congress can ensure that the CDC will continue to protect and enhance the health and safety of all Americans,” the senators closed.

    Senator Warnock has repeatedly stood up in defense of CDC workers, including joining them at a rally, delivering a floor speech opposing Secretary Kennedy’s nomination, demanding answers from administration nominees at Congressional hearings, and more. Since the CDC and its employees became a target of this administration, Senator Warnock has led several efforts defending their employment and the crucial role they play in keeping the nation safe. Earlier this year, Senator Warnock sent a letter to President Trump and Secretary Kennedy requesting additional information about the termination of 20,000 full-time staff and organizational restructuring at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

    In addition to Senators Warnock and Ossoff, the letter was signed by U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM), Dick Durbin (D-IL), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Chris Coons (D-DE), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Tina Smith (D-MN), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Angus King (I-ME), Peter Welch (D-VT), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), and Jacky Rosen (D-NV).

    Read the full letter HERE, and the text is below

    Dear Chairwoman Capito and Ranking Member Baldwin,

    As you consider the Fiscal Year 2026 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies Appropriations bill, we thank you for your strong commitment to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and to the nation’s public health security. We respectfully request that you protect the mission of CDC by providing robust funding at or near the level of $9.683 billion for the agency.

    In recent months, President Trump and Secretary Kennedy have taken a hatchet to our public health agencies by massively reducing or eliminating programs historically authorized and appropriated by Congress on a bipartisan basis. During the first several months of 2025, the Trump administration fired thousands of dedicated public health professionals who have devoted their life’s work to the health, safety, and security of our constituents. These mass terminations not only destabilize our country’s public health infrastructure, but they also put our economy at risk when people get sick, and no one is there to respond.

    The President’s FY26 Discretionary Budget Request proposes drastic reductions to CDC’s budget of nearly 44 percent, despite rising rates of measles, STIs, maternal deaths, and chronic diseases. The elimination of the CDC’s chronic disease prevention office also contradicts the Administration’s stated goal of addressing the chronic disease epidemic in our country. These cuts will not make American’s healthy. The CDC must remain the world’s preeminent public health agency and to do so, the CDC must have the tools it needs to continue its work.

    We support robust funding for CDC’s response efforts to domestic health threats, much of which flows through state and local public health agencies. Our public health departments use this funding to provide access to vaccines, STI testing, disease outbreak tracing, and general improvements to health care access. Continued investment in the CDC will have a direct, positive effect on the economy, since healthy people means a healthy economy. Additionally, the return on investment for public health funding results in savings over the long-term

    Without funding appropriated to and administered by the CDC, many of our state and local public health agencies would be critically underfunded or worse, nonexistent. We request that the committee support the public health workforce and public health departments by fully funding Public Health and Preparedness programs, including programs that prevent HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STI and TB, as well as the Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion program and the Public Health Social Services Emergency Fund (PHSSF). In particular, the National Center on Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion must be fully funded, unlike the President’s FY26 Budget Request, to allow CDC to respond to the chronic disease crisis.

    Another longstanding mission of the CDC is its Global Health Securityprograms, and we are concerned by the Trump administration’s efforts to prevent CDC researchers and officials from working directly with non-government organizations and global public health organizations. More than 70 percent of the world remains underprepared to respond to a public health emergency, and with our globally-connected society, disease outbreaks around the world pose threats to the U.S. We urge continued funding for global health programs at the CDC, so the agency can continue to work with other countries to build capacities in surveillance, disease detection, and outbreak response to stop deadly diseases at their source.

    We also encourage funding for Public Health Data Modernization efforts. Enhanced data systems enable the CDC to better track health trends, identify emerging threats, and allocate resources efficiently. Policymakers and researchers rely on precise data to make informed decisions and provide sound health guidance to the public. Modernized data infrastructure supports interoperability between agencies, facilitating collaboration and improving the overall quality of health information. The CDC should have the necessary data authority to access the information required for effective decision-making, ensuring public health strategies are based on the most reliable data available. Investing in data modernization not only strengthens domestic health security but also enhances global health initiatives by enabling swift responses to international health challenges.

    We also strongly support keeping all Centers at the CDC fully operational and funded, including the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (NCIPC) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). The NCIPC helps CDC address public health challenges like opioid use disorder, child abuse, drowning, falls in the elderly population, and domestic violence. The NCIPC, which was eliminated in the President’s FY26 Discretionary Budget Request, will make our country healthier and safer. Additionally, NIOSH benefits from the CDC’s comprehensive public health infrastructure, facilitating collaboration and resource sharing that enhances its research and intervention capabilities. Continued funding for NIOSH supports its mission to prevent work-related injuries and illnesses, ultimately contributing to a healthier, more productive workforce and reducing healthcare costs associated with occupational hazards.

    The CDC is the cornerstone of public health in the United States and the world. In 2023, Congress, on a bipartisan basis, affirmed the importance of CDC by requiring its director to be confirmed by the Senate, which was a critical step to bolstering the public’s trust in the CDC. By prioritizing funding for its essential programs, including non-communicable disease prevention, global health initiatives, data modernization, and workplace safety, Congress can ensure that the CDC will continue to protect and enhance the health and safety of all Americans.

    Your support in maintaining and expanding these vital resources will empower the CDC to effectively address current and future health challenges. Thank you for considering this request, and for your commitment to advancing public health through robust funding support of the CDC.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    May 30, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: PRESS RELEASE: Rep. Nanette Barragán Leads Entire California Democratic Delegation in Urging Trump Administration to Protect Head Start Funding

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Nanette Diaz Barragán (CA-44)

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    May 22, 2025

    Contact: Jin.Choi@mail.house.gov

    Rep. Nanette Barragán Leads Entire California Democratic Delegation in Urging Trump Administration to Protect Head Start Funding

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Representative Nanette Diaz Barragán (CA-44) led the entire California Democratic Congressional Delegation in sending a letter to President Donald Trump and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., urging them to safeguard federal funding for the Head Start program. The letter comes in response to alarming reports that the Trump Administration considered eliminating Head Start funding during recent federal budget discussions.

    “From Los Angeles County to the Central Valley to rural tribal lands, Head Start provides comprehensive early learning, health, nutrition, and family support services to children who are disproportionately impacted by poverty and housing instability,” wrote the members. “These essential services support our state’s economy by allowing parents to work and go to school, while giving our future workforce the strong start that they need to be successful later in life.”

    California is home to one of the largest populations of Head Start children in the nation. In Fiscal Year 2023 alone, Head Start and Early Head Start programs served more than 94,000 children across the state. These programs offer critical support to children by integrating early education with health, nutrition, and family services—providing targeted support to those experiencing poverty, housing insecurity, and systemic inequities.

    “The elimination or reduction of Head Start funding would be catastrophic,” the letter states. “In California, it would shut the doors of 1,835 Head Start and Early Head Start Centers and eliminate access to early education for tens of thousands of children—disproportionately children of color, English learners, children with disabilities, and those living in low-income and rural communities.”

    Since its founding in 1965, Head Start has served over 40 million children and families nationwide. Decades of research confirm that the program improves school readiness, boosts long-term academic and employment outcomes, and helps break the cycle of poverty.

    “Head Start is not optional—it is a national commitment that must be honored,” members added. “I will continue fighting to protect this vital investment in our children’s futures.”

    Rep. Barragán’s letter was co-signed by each of the 45 Democratic members of the California Congressional Delegation: Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff, and Representatives Pete Aguilar, Nancy Pelosi, Robert Garcia, Linda Sánchez, John Garamendi, Kevin Mullin, Mark Takano, Ted Lieu, Julia Brownley, Maxine Waters, Laura Friedman, J. Luis Correa, Ro Khanna, Mike Thompson, Norma Torres, Mark DeSaulnier, Juan Vargas, Gilbert Ray Cisneros, Jr., Judy Chu, Derek Tran, Raul Ruiz, Jared Huffman, Doris Matsui, Salud Carbajal, Brad Sherman, Ami Bera, Jimmy Panetta, Zoe Lofgren, Eric Swalwell, Lateefah Simon, Dave Min, Jimmy Gomez, Sydney Kamlager-Dove, Jim Costa, George Whitesides, Luz Rivas, Sara Jacobs, Scott Peters, Josh Harder, Adam Gray, Mike Levin, and Sam Liccardo.

    The full letter can be found here and below:

    President Trump and Secretary Kennedy:

    We write today to express serious concern over reports that your Administration considered proposals to eliminate federal funding for the Department of Health and Human Services’ Head Start program in recent budget discussions. While we are relieved that the White House Office of Management and Budget’s Fiscal Year 2026 proposal did not include this cut, that such an action was even contemplated underscores the vulnerability of this vital program under your Administration. As members of the California Congressional Delegation, we urge you to safeguard this critical program, which plays an irreplaceable role in supporting California’s children and families, especially those facing economic hardship and systemic barriers.

    California is home to one of the largest populations of Head Start children in the nation. In Fiscal Year 2023 alone, more than 94,000 children and pregnant women in California were served by Head Start and Early Head Start programs.[1] These services are not just beneficial—they are essential. From Los Angeles County to the Central Valley to rural tribal lands, Head Start provides comprehensive early learning, health, nutrition, and family support services to children who are disproportionately impacted by poverty and housing instability. These essential services support our state’s economy by allowing parents to work and go to school, while giving our future workforce the strong start that they need to be successful later in life.

    Since its founding in 1965, Head Start has supported more than 40 million children and their families nationwide—and millions in California alone.[2] Research continues to confirm what educators and parents have long known: Head Start works. It boosts school readiness, improves long-term academic outcomes, increases high school graduation and employment rates, and helps break cycles of generational poverty.

    The elimination or reduction of Head Start funding would be catastrophic. In California, it would shut the doors of 1,835 Head Start and Early Head Start Centers and eliminate access to early education for tens of thousands of children—disproportionately children of color, English learners, children with disabilities, and those living in low-income and rural communities.[3] Thousands of parents would also lose their ability to go to work or school, and otherwise participate in the economy.

    Head Start is not optional—it is a national commitment that must be honored. For these reasons, we urge you to reject any future attempts to weaken or eliminate this program and to ensure its continued success for the children and families who rely on it every day.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

    May 30, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Taking on Period Poverty

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    Students in the UConn Health Graduate School and the UConn Schools of Medicine and Dental Medicine are leading an effort to address and raise awareness of period poverty.

    Over the last several months, they have acquired menstrual products and distributed enough of them to Hartford public schools and Hartford-area Boys and Girls Clubs to meet the needs of more than 600 students.

    It’s a joint effort of the graduate school’s Program of Applied Public Health Sciences and a group within the medical school known as Hartford Health Education.

    “As a public health student who recognized the inequities in access to products based on socioeconomic status and gender inequities, I really wanted to address this issue and be involved in direct product distribution because so many people lack necessary materials to address their health,” says Juilia Prescott, who, as a public health graduate assistant, has been one of the student leaders of this initiative.

    Julia Prescott loads her car with menstrual products she and other UConn Health students collected to deliver to the Northwest Boys & Girls Club in Hartford’s Blue Hills neighborhood. Prescott, as a public health graduate assistant, has been one of the student leaders of the effort, backed by a grant from the global nonprofit menstrual equity advocacy group The Pad Project. (Photo provided by the Department of Public Health Sciences)

    “Period poverty is about a lack of access to menstrual products and resources to manage menstruation, and this is a significant public health problem because a lot of people aren’t able to afford them, and then miss school, and have certain health problems,” Prescott, who just graduated with her Master of Public Health, says. “So, to address that need, we decided we wanted to ramp up this donation drive, and so we solicited products from people all over UConn Health, and we also applied for a grant from The Pad Project, which is a global nonprofit that expands access to menstrual products, combats period stigma, and champions menstrual equity for all.”

    They secured a $3,000 Pad for Schools grant, enabling them to purchase additional pads and tampons. Student volunteers get together to package the products along with educational materials for the students and deliver them to the schools and clubs.

    “During our health education class about puberty, UConn medical and dental student volunteers distribute these products as well as give tutorials for proper use,” says fourth-year medical student Kelly Anne Kiremidjian, who, with classmate Helen Liu Bian, leads Hartford Health Education.

    Kiremidjian says the effort has been well received.

    “I have personally been told how needed this initiative is,” she says. “One nurse we spoke to said that she was previously paying for these products out of her own pocket.”

    Stacey Brown, associate professor and co-director for the Program in Applied Public Health Sciences, has been mentoring Prescott.

    “This initiative reflects the power of student-led public health action,” Brown says. “Thanks to Julia’s incredible leadership, we’ve laid a strong foundation that will continue through the incoming graduate assistant and the dedicated medical and dental student leaders of Hartford Health Education, ensuring that menstrual health equity remains a sustained and growing priority.”

    The students have delivered products to the following locations in Hartford:

    • Burns Latino Studies Academy
    • Annie Fischer STEM Magnet School
    • Noah Webster Microsociety Magnet School
    • Annie Fischer Montessori
    • Global Communications Academy
    • Samuel S. Gray, Jr. Boys & Girls Club at Asylum Hill
    • Joseph D. Lapenta Northwest Boys & Girls Club
    • South End Boys & Girls Club
    • Southwest Boys & Girls Club
    • Trinity College Boys & Girls Club

    MIL OSI USA News –

    May 30, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: DelBene Highlights Harm of Trump’s Tariffs at Port of Seattle

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (1st District of Washington)

    Today, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) highlighted the harm of President Trump’s ongoing tariff chaos at the Port of Seattle with Washington workers, businesses, and health care providers.

     

    Tariffs are a tax on imported goods paid by American businesses and often passed along to American consumers. Since taking office, Trump has put sweeping tariffs in place against some of our closest allies and trading partners with no clear plan. In other instances, he has threatened to do so and pulled back at the last minute. This instability is extremely harmful to businesses and their customers as they cannot adequately plan for the future. This leads to more expensive business inputs, supply chain disruptions, and fewer markets available to sell goods into.

    Tariffs hit Washington especially hard because the state is trade-dependent: 4-in-10 Washington jobs are tied to trade. Slowdowns at the Port of Seattle and other ports of entry can mean less work for longshoremen, truckers, and other shipping jobs, and fewer goods on shelves.

    “Washington is a very trade-dependent state, and the president’s tariff chaos is hurting businesses, threatening jobs, and raising prices on families. Trump has no clear plan for his trade war, and damage is being done. As a former businesswoman, I know firsthand that businesses need stability to plan and grow,” said DelBene. “Congress must reassert its constitutional authority over trade by making clear any president must get a vote before putting in place sweeping tariffs.”

    At the event, DelBene was joined by representatives from the Northwest Seaport Alliance, Port of Seattle, International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU), Washington Hospital Association, Overlake Medical Center, and SOGDA, a Washington-based seafood wholesaler.

    “International trade and supply chains rely on predictable, consistent policy. We remain concerned about the market disruptions, cargo fluctuations, and lost business caused by the initial tariff implantation as well as the continued lack of clarity. We are deeply grateful to have Congresswoman DelBene advocating for trade policy that helps Washington businesses grow and prosper,” said Northwest Seaport Alliance and Port of Seattle Commissioner Sam Cho.

    “At the Northwest Seaport Alliance, we take pride in being a top export gateway for American agricultural goods and manufacturers. Trade wars often hit our exporters hardest, and we are closely tracking the impacts to Northwest producers. We hope our policymakers can continue working towards an outcome that lowers trade barriers and unnecessary tariffs. We thank Congresswoman DelBene for her steadfast commitment to these issues,” said Northwest Seaport Alliance and Port of Tacoma Commissioner Deanna Keller.

    “We have seen a slowdown in cargo operations in Seattle and the Pacific Northwest. We longshoremen need stability in long-term decisions from Washington, DC. These are 20- and 30-year decisions for international shipping companies that are being disrupted by daily changes currently. We look forward to jobs for longshoremen, trucking companies, warehouse workers, and farmers,” said ILWU President Mark Elverston.

    DelBene has introduced several pieces of legislation that would ensure any president must come to Congress for a vote before any sweeping tariffs could be put in place. Republicans in Congress have hidden from votes on repealing Trump’s tariffs and voted against DelBene offering them as amendments to legislation. Two federal courts have now ruled that Trump’s tariffs are illegal but the administration has vowed to appeal.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    May 30, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Boosting job support for parents

    Alberta’s strength lies in its people, and in the families that call this province home. But for many parents, especially single parents, meeting the demands of raising children and earning an income can be a significant challenge.

    Through Budget 2025, Alberta’s government is committing $5.3 million to support programs that help parents find the stable, reliable work they need to ensure Alberta remains the best place to live, work, and raise a family.

    “Parents across the province are raising Alberta’s future, and it’s our responsibility to support them in return. Helping parents find stable employment empowers families, strengthens communities and lays the foundation for long-term prosperity. Through this investment, our government is helping connect parents with the tools they need to pursue meaningful work and support their families.”

    Jason Nixon, Minister of Assisted Living and Social Services

    This investment is increasing employment supports for parents by more than $1 million year-over-year. As Alberta’s government builds toward a stronger future, it’s investing in practical solutions that help parents enter or return to the workforce.

    “The Alberta advantage starts with giving everyone an opportunity to pursue meaningful employment. Better access to training and employment services means more parents having the means to put food on their table, raising healthy families who are proud to call Alberta home.” 

    Joseph Schow, Minister of Jobs, Economy, Trade and Immigration

    Of the total $5.3-million commitment, $4.2 million is being invested in Lifemark Health Group’s Empower program, which connects single mothers in Edmonton and Calgary with employment and education opportunities. This program is available at no cost and each participant receives a customized plan to help them meet their goals. The remaining $1.1 million is supporting the Career Advancement and Resources for Employment Success (CARES) program, which provides employment supports to underemployed and unemployed parents in the Edmonton area.

    Both programs provide participants with access to career and life skills workshops, employment certifications, volunteer and job placement opportunities, and access to wrap-around services like mental health supports.

    “Lifemark is proud to partner with the Government of Alberta to deliver innovative employment programs. By empowering unemployed and underemployed parents with life-changing skills and opportunities to access meaningful employment, we’re helping build brighter futures for their families and stronger, more resilient communities across Alberta.”

    Sonya Lockyer, president and CEO, Lifemark Health Group

    Alberta’s government is committed to working with service providers across the province to improve employment supports for all Albertans – ensuring Alberta remains the land of opportunity.

    Quick facts

    • The Empower program offers single mothers career workshops, access to resources such as the Clothing Closet and Community Pantry, learning activities to enhance employability skills, work experience placements and 24 weeks of follow up.
    • The CARES program integrates employment assistance with support for child care solutions, offering extended hours on evenings and weekends.

    Related information

    • Alberta employment supports
    • Training and Employment Services
    • Employment services directory

    Related news

    • Helping young Albertans find jobs (May 26, 2025)
    • Investing to help Albertans get hired (April 30, 2025)

    MIL OSI Canada News –

    May 30, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Carter meets with Augusta University in support of telehealth funding

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Earl L Buddy Carter (GA-01)

    Headline: Carter meets with Augusta University in support of telehealth funding

    AUGUSTA – Rep. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-GA) this week met with officials at Augusta University to discuss his advocacy for the Medical College of Georgia (MCG), including the $1 million he secured in FY23 to support the College’s Center for Digital Health.


    From Left to Right: David Hess, MD, Dean of Medical College of Georgia; Rep. Buddy Carter (GA-01); and Matt Lyon, MD, Director of Medical College of Georgia


    “Telehealth is vital for seniors and those in rural areas. I often say that we knew how important telehealth was before the pandemic, but we didn’t realize it until after. As a health care professional, I am a strong supporter of telehealth services and am proud of the work Augusta University is doing to bring this resource to more patients. When the government supports Augusta University, we support longer, healthier lives for Georgians,” said Rep. Carter.

     

    “The investments Congressman Carter has helped secure for Augusta University are helping us tackle some of our state and country’s most urgent challenges. From pioneering research to combat the devastating fentanyl crisis to expanding health care access through innovative technology, this support enables us to fulfill our core mission: improving the lives of people across Georgia and beyond,” said Russell Keen, President of Augusta University. “These partnerships demonstrate how targeted federal investment can create meaningful change in communities, from cities to our most rural areas. We’re deeply grateful for his vision and continued commitment.”

     

    “I was honored to meet with Congressman Carter and share more about MCG’s expanding impact across Georgia. MCG and AU are making strategic investments throughout the state, including a new four-year medical school campus in Savannah. Our medical school is committed to advancing medical education and health care access for all Georgians—  and we are excited to share our progress with our legislative partners,” said David Hess, MD, Dean of the Medical College of Georgia.

     

    “I am extremely grateful for Congressman Carter’s vital support of MCG’s Center for Digital Health. The funding he secured has helped integrate telemedicine training for the next generation of physicians. Through partnerships with rural Georgia hospitals, we’re now delivering critical care expertise to communities that need it most—allowing patients to receive advanced care closer to home. These investments and technologies can strengthen our rural health care network and are improving patient outcomes across Georgia,” said Dr. Matt Lyon, Director of the Medical College of Georgia’s Center for Digital Health.

     

     For FY26, Rep. Carter submitted a $900,000 funding request to support the development of rapid fentanyl detection through Augusta University’s College of Science and Math.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    May 30, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: PRESS RELEASE: Congresswoman Barragán Highlights Community Need for Food Assistance as She Continues to Oppose Largest SNAP Cuts in History

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Nanette Diaz Barragán (CA-44)

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    May 28, 2025
    Contact: Jin.Choi@mail.house.gov

    Congresswoman Barragán Highlights Community Need for Food Assistance as She Continues to Oppose Largest SNAP Cuts in History

    Paramount, CA — Today, Congresswoman Nanette Barragán (CA-44) visited Mother’s Nutritional Center (MNC) in Paramount to highlight the need for SNAP food assistance benefits as House Republicans and Donald Trump push the largest proposed cuts to SNAP in U.S. history. She pointed out that House Republicans voted to cut billions in food assistance for millions of Americans just last week, as they raced to pass Donald Trump’s billionaires’ tax cut bill. These cuts would be devastating for children, seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities who receive this assistance. 

    The Congresswoman was joined by the Mayor of Paramount, Peggy Lemons, the Senior Outreach Manager of MNC, and a SNAP recipient who talked about the food assistance she has received from Mother’s and how it has helped to put nutritious food on the table for her family.

    “No one in this country should go hungry,” said Rep. Barragán. “Yet House Republicans want to force millions of Americans to go without enough food on their table — our families, children, seniors, people with disabilities, and even our veterans who have sacrificed so much for our country. Republicans passed cuts to SNAP and food assistance in the dark of night to hide their actions from the American people and to give tax breaks to billionaires. Today, in broad daylight, we wanted to let the hardworking people of LA County know what they did and why these programs are so vitally important to so many. House Democrats will continue our fight to protect SNAP benefits and work so that families and individuals in our communities and throughout the country don’t go hungry.” 

    “In Paramount, we believe that no child should go hungry — especially during the summer months when school meals are no longer available. That’s why we partner with the Paramount Unified School District to offer programs like the Summer Nutrition and Activity Program which ran for several years. And through our current HEY — Healthy Eating for Youth — initiative, we provide free meals and daily recreation to all children 18 and under throughout the summer. For many families, this program fills a critical gap in both nutrition and enrichment,” said Mayor Lemons. 

    “SNAP helps support programs that keep our most vulnerable residents healthy and fed. In Paramount, we’ve seen firsthand the power of community partnerships in meeting basic needs. These efforts are made possible because of the support we receive from federal nutrition programs.

    Negative impacts to SNAP would devastate school districts, students, and our children — not just in our city, but across the country. 

    As Mayor, I urge Congress to protect and invest in the vital safety net programs like SNAP that uplift our communities. The health and dignity of our neighbors depend on it.”

    For the recording of the event, see HERE.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

    May 30, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Homegrown Family Foods Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Milk in Shore Lunch Oven Style Breader & Batter Mix

    Source: US Department of Health and Human Services – 3

    Summary

    Company Announcement Date:
    May 29, 2025
    FDA Publish Date:
    May 29, 2025
    Product Type:
    Food & Beverages
    Reason for Announcement:

    Recall Reason Description
    Presence of Undeclared Milk

    Company Name:
    Homegrown Family Foods
    Brand Name:

    Brand Name(s)
    Shore Lunch

    Product Description:

    Product Description
    Breading and Batter Mix

    Company Announcement
    Homegrown Family Foods is recalling its Shore Lunch Oven Style Breader & Batter Mix 6oz Box due to the presence of undeclared milk. Individuals with an allergy or severe sensitivity to milk risk serious or life-threatening allergic reactions if they consume this product. For ease of identification, see photo labels below.
    The product was primarily distributed in retail stores in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin between April 29, 2024 and May 1, 2025.
    The product comes in 6-ounce (170g) boxes marked with Best By dates of April 23, 2025 through February 25, 2026 and UPC Code 2473912000 and Lots: RP117050, RP120012, RP120011, RP120013, RP123249, RP123389, RP129004, RP129005, RP129006. The Best By date, Lot Code is found on the top of the box and the UPC is found on the bottom of the box.
    One illness has been reported to date; the affected individual has recovered.
    On 4/23/2025, the firm was notified by a consumer whose daughter had an allergic reaction. The recall was initiated after it was discovered that product containing the milk ingredient was in packaging that did not properly label the presence of milk.
    Consumers who have the affected product and have a dairy allergy or sensitivity are urged not to consume the product and to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.
    For questions, consumers may contact Homegrown Family Foods at 706-403-5768 Monday- Friday from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm ET or email QAinquiries@homegrownfamilyfood.com.
    This recall is being made with the knowledge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

    Company Contact Information

    Media:
    Michael Carter
    706-403-5768

    Product Photos

    Content current as of:
    05/29/2025

    Regulated Product(s)

    Follow FDA

    MIL OSI USA News –

    May 30, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: US Department of Labor pauses Job Corps center operations

    Source: US Department of Labor

    WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced it will begin a phased pause in operations at contractor-operated Job Corps centers nationwide, initiating an orderly transition for students, staff, and local communities. The decision follows an internal review of the program’s outcome and structure and will be carried out in accordance with available funding, the statutory framework established under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, and congressional notification requirements.  

    The pause of operations at all contractor-operated Job Corps centers will occur by June 30, 2025. As the transition begins, the department is collaborating with state and local workforce partners to assist current students in advancing their training and connecting them with education and employment opportunities. 

    The department’s decision aligns with the President’s FY 2026 budget proposal and reflects the Administration’s commitment to ensure federal workforce investments deliver meaningful results for both students and taxpayers.

     “Job Corps was created to help young adults build a pathway to a better life through education, training, and community,” said Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer. “However, a startling number of serious incident reports and our in-depth fiscal analysis reveal the program is no longer achieving the intended outcomes that students deserve. We remain committed to ensuring all participants are supported through this transition and connected with the resources they need to succeed as we evaluate the program’s possibilities.” 

    The Job Corps program has faced significant financial challenges under its current operating structure. In PY 2024, the program operated at a $140 million deficit, requiring the Biden administration to implement a pause in center operations to complete the program year. The deficit is projected to reach $213 million in PY 2025.   

    On April 25, 2025, the department’s Employment and Training Administration released the first-ever Job Corps Transparency Report, which analyzed the financial performance and operational costs of the most recently available metrics of program year 2023. A summary of the overall findings: 

    • Average Graduation Rate (WIOA Definition): 38.6%
    • Average Cost Per Student Per Year: $80,284.65         
    • Average Total Cost Per Graduate (WIOA Definition): $155,600.74
    • Post separation, participants earn $16,695 annually on average.
    • The total number of Serious Incident Reports for program year 2023: 14,913 infractions.
      • Inappropriate Sexual Behavior and Sexual Assaults Reported: 372
      • Acts of Violence Reported: 1,764
      • Breaches of Safety or Security: 1,167
      • Reported Drug Use: 2,702
      • Total Hospital Visits: 1,808

    Additional information can be found in the FAQs.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    May 30, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Padilla Joins Entire California Democratic Delegation in Urging Trump Administration to Protect Head Start Funding

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.)

    Padilla Joins Entire California Democratic Delegation in Urging Trump Administration to Protect Head Start Funding

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) joined the entire California Democratic Congressional Delegation in urging President Donald Trump and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. to safeguard federal funding for the Head Start program. The letter comes in response to alarming reports that the Trump Administration has considered eliminating Head Start funding during recent federal budget discussions.

    California’s Head Start program is the largest in the nation. In Fiscal Year 2023 alone, Head Start and Early Head Start programs served more than 94,000 children across the state. These programs offer critical support to children by integrating early education with health, nutrition, and family services, providing targeted support to those facing poverty, housing insecurity, and systemic inequities.

    “From Los Angeles County to the Central Valley to rural tribal lands, Head Start provides comprehensive early learning, health, nutrition, and family support services to children who are disproportionately impacted by poverty and housing instability,” wrote the lawmakers. “These essential services support our state’s economy by allowing parents to work and go to school, while giving our future workforce the strong start that they need to be successful later in life.”

    “The elimination or reduction of Head Start funding would be catastrophic,” continued the lawmakers. “In California, it would shut the doors of 1,835 Head Start and Early Head Start Centers and eliminate access to early education for tens of thousands of children — disproportionately children of color, English learners, children with disabilities, and those living in low-income and rural communities. Thousands of parents would also lose their ability to go to work or school, and otherwise participate in the economy.”

    Since its founding in 1965, Head Start has served over 40 million children and families nationwide. Decades of research confirm that the program improves school readiness, boosts long-term academic and employment outcomes, and helps break the cycle of poverty.

    “Head Start is not optional — it is a national commitment that must be honored,” concluded the lawmakers. “For these reasons, we urge you to reject any future attempts to weaken or eliminate this program and to ensure its continued success for the children and families who rely on it every day.”

    U.S. Representative Nanette Diaz Barragán (D-Calif.-44) led the letter. In addition to Senator Padilla, the letter was also co-signed by Senator Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.-11), and Representatives Pete Aguilar (D-Calif.-33), Ami Bera (D-Calif.-06), Julia Brownley (D-Calif.-26), Salud Carbajal (D-Calif.-24), Judy Chu (D-Calif.-28), Gilbert Cisneros (D-Calif.-31), Jim Costa (D-Calif.-21), Lou Correa (D-Calif.-46), Mark DeSaulnier (D-Calif.-10), Laura Friedman (D-Calif.-30), John Garamendi (D-Calif.-08), Robert Garcia (D-Calif.-42), Jimmy Gomez (D-Calif.-34), Adam Gray (D-Calif.-13), Josh Harder (D-Calif.-09), Jared Huffman (D-Calif.-02), Sara Jacobs (D-Calif.-51), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Calif.-37), Ro Khanna (D-Calif.-17), Mike Levin (D-Calif.-49), Sam Liccardo (D-Calif.-16), Ted Lieu (D-Calif.-36), Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.-18), Doris Matsui (D-Calif.-07), Dave Min (D-Calif.-47), Kevin Mullin (D-Calif.-15), Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.-19), Scott Peters (D-Calif.-50), Luz Rivas (D-Calif.-29), Raul Ruiz (D-Calif.-25), Linda Sánchez (D-Calif.-38), Brad Sherman (D-Calif.-32), Lateefah Simon (D-Calif.-12), Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.-14), Mark Takano (D-Calif.-39), Mike Thompson (D-Calif.-04), Norma Torres (D-Calif.-35), Derek Tran (D-Calif.-45), Juan Vargas (D-Calif.-52), Maxine Waters (D-Calif.-43), and George Whitesides (D-Calif.-27).

    Senator Padilla has been a leading advocate in condemning the Trump Administration’s attacks on Head Start and child care. Last month, Padilla and Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) led 25 Senators in slamming the Trump Administration’s mass firings of federal employees at the Office of Head Start (OHS) and the Office of Child Care (OCC) and demanding Secretary Kennedy immediately reinstate these employees. Padilla also joined 41 Senators in another letter blasting the Trump Administration’s direct attacks on the Head Start program.

    Full text of the letter is available here and below:

    President Trump and Secretary Kennedy:

    We write today to express serious concern over reports that your Administration considered proposals to eliminate federal funding for the Department of Health and Human Services’ Head Start program in recent budget discussions. While we are relieved that the White House Office of Management and Budget’s Fiscal Year 2026 proposal did not include this cut, that such an action was even contemplated underscores the vulnerability of this vital program under your Administration. As members of the California Congressional Delegation, we urge you to safeguard this critical program, which plays an irreplaceable role in supporting California’s children and families, especially those facing economic hardship and systemic barriers.

    California is home to one of the largest populations of Head Start children in the nation. In Fiscal Year 2023 alone, more than 94,000 children and pregnant women in California were served by Head Start and Early Head Start programs. These services are not just beneficial—they are essential. From Los Angeles County to the Central Valley to rural tribal lands, Head Start provides comprehensive early learning, health, nutrition, and family support services to children who are disproportionately impacted by poverty and housing instability. These essential services support our state’s economy by allowing parents to work and go to school, while giving our future workforce the strong start that they need to be successful later in life.

    Since its founding in 1965, Head Start has supported more than 40 million children and their families nationwide—and millions in California alone. Research continues to confirm what educators and parents have long known: Head Start works. It boosts school readiness, improves long-term academic outcomes, increases high school graduation and employment rates, and helps break cycles of generational poverty.

    The elimination or reduction of Head Start funding would be catastrophic. In California, it would shut the doors of 1,835 Head Start and Early Head Start Centers and eliminate access to early education for tens of thousands of children—disproportionately children of color, English learners, children with disabilities, and those living in low-income and rural communities. Thousands of parents would also lose their ability to go to work or school, and otherwise participate in the economy.

    Head Start is not optional—it is a national commitment that must be honored. For these reasons, we urge you to reject any future attempts to weaken or eliminate this program and to ensure its continued success for the children and families who rely on it every day.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    May 30, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Padilla, Schiff Urge Secretary Noem to Reverse Decision to Terminate Legal Status of Four-Year-Old Bakersfield Girl

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.)

    Padilla, Schiff Urge Secretary Noem to Reverse Decision to Terminate Legal Status of Four-Year-Old Bakersfield Girl

    LOS ANGELES, CA — Today, U.S. Senators Alex Padilla, Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee, and Adam Schiff (both D-Calif.) joined Representative Luz Rivas (D-Calif.-29), Representative Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Calif.-37), and 34 other lawmakers in urging Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to reconsider the termination of the legal status of a four-year-old Bakersfield girl and her family, potentially leading to life-threatening deportation. The young girl, identified by her initials as S.G.V., has short bowel syndrome and could die within days if she is deported and loses essential medical care at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.
    “We urge you to reconsider the termination of S.G.V. and her family’s legal status as S.G.V.’s doctors say she could die within days without treatment,” wrote the lawmakers. “Due to S.G.V.’s short bowel syndrome, she receives intensive medical treatments such as: being tethered to feeding tubes 24 hours a day; spending 14 hours each night being hooked up to an intravenous feeding system; and receiving a different type of nutrition via a gastric tube into her stomach four times a day. In 2023, S.G.V. and her family were allowed to enter the U.S. legally on humanitarian grounds.”
    “Your Department has revoked this child’s legal status in the U.S., which interrupts the urgent, life-saving care she receives at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles every six weeks,” continued the lawmakers. “We believe this family’s situation clearly meets the need for humanitarian aid and urge you and this Administration to reconsider its decision. It is our duty to protect the sick, vulnerable, and defenseless. Without action, S.G.V. will die. We urge a prompt response from your Department and a swift decision to extend this family’s legal status in the U.S.” 
    In addition to Padilla, Schiff, Rivas, and Kamlager-Dove, the letter was also signed by Representatives Nanette Barragán (D-Calif.-44), Julia Brownley (D-Calif.-26), Salud Carbajal (D-Calif.-24), Greg Casar (D-Texas-35), Joaquin Castro (D-Texas-20), Judy Chu (D-Calif.-28), Gilbert Cisneros (D-Calif.-31), Maxine Dexter (D-Ore.-03), Adriano Espaillat (D-N.Y.-13), Jim Costa (D-Calif.-21), Veronica Escobar (D-Texas-16), Laura Friedman (D-Calif.-30), Jesús “Chuy” García (D-Ill.-04), Sylvia Garcia (D-Texas-29), Daniel Goldman (D-N.Y.-10), Jimmy Gomez (D-Calif.-34), Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.-07), Teresa Leger Fernandez (D-N.M.-03), Ted Lieu (D-Calif.-36), Seth Magaziner (D-R.I.-02), Robert Menendez (D-N.J.-08), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.-14), Delia Ramirez (D-Ill.-03), Andrea Salinas (D-Ore.-06), Linda Sánchez (D-Calif.-38), Lateefah Simon (D-Calif.-12), Darren Soto (D-Fla.-09), Jill Tokuda (D-Hawaii-02), Norma Torres (D-Calif.-35), Derek Tran (D-Calif.-45), Juan Vargas (D-Calif.-52), Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.-02), Nydia Velázquez (D-N.Y.-07), and Eugene Vindman (D-Va.-07). 
    Full text of the letter is available here and below:
    Dear Secretary Noem:
    In April 2025, Deysi Vargas, her husband, and four-year-old daughter, identified as S.G.V., received a notice that their legal status in the United States had been terminated, and in May, Deysi received notice that her employment authorization had also been terminated. S.G.V. suffers from short bowel syndrome, a rare condition that prevents her body from completely absorbing the nutrients of regular food. We urge you to reconsider the termination of S.G.V. and her family’s legal status as S.G.V.’s doctors say she could die within days without treatment.
    Due to S.G.V.’s short bowel syndrome, she receives intensive medical treatments such as: being tethered to feeding tubes 24 hours a day; spending 14 hours each night being hooked up to an intravenous feeding system; and receiving a different type of nutrition via a gastric tube into her stomach four times a day. In 2023, S.G.V. and her family were allowed to enter the U.S. legally on humanitarian grounds.
    Your Department has revoked this child’s legal status in the U.S., which interrupts the urgent, life-saving care she receives at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles every six weeks.
    On the President’s first day in office he issued an Executive Order stating that, “ensuring that the parole authority under section 212(d)(5) of the INA (8 U.S.C. 1182(d)(5)) is exercised on only a case-by-case basis in accordance with the plain language of the statute, and in all circumstances only when an individual alien demonstrates urgent humanitarian reasons or a significant public benefit derived from their particular continued presence in the United States arising from such parole.”
    We believe this family’s situation clearly meets the need for humanitarian aid and urge you and this Administration to reconsider its decision. It is our duty to protect the sick, vulnerable, and defenseless. Without action, S.G.V. will die. We urge a prompt response from your Department and a swift decision to extend this family’s legal status in the U.S.
    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

    May 30, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: 2025 Dr. Cato T. Laurencin ScHOLA²RS House Award Recipients

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    The UConn Foundation created the award, which honors top academically achieving Black male seniors at the University of Connecticut. The award is a source of inspiration for many at UConn. The recipients this year were Noah Sneed, Mason Bickham, and Josiah Mendez.

    • Noah Sneed had a 3.93 GPA and has a major in Animal Science and a second major in Pathobiology.
    • Mason Bickham had a 3.81 GPA, and is a Psychological Sciences major, with a concentration in Africana Studies, Human Dev, and Family Sciences
    • Josiah Mendez had a 3.58 GPA, and is a Computer Science & Engineering Masters major, with a concentration in Software Design and Development.

    ScHOLA²RS House is a Learning Community designed to support the scholastic efforts of male students who identify as African American/Black through academic and social support, access to research opportunities, and professional development.

    UConn senior Mason Bickham being awarded.

    Throughout his career, Laurencin has devoted his life to pioneering research and clinical care. He has also been passionate about his work mentoring young people in engineering, science, medicine, and the humanities. At UConn he has created and established a number of mentoring/educational programs, including the UConn Young Innovative Investigator Program, the UConn Pre-K Scholars Program, and the Presidential M1 Mentorship Award Program. He has been the Principal Investigator of UConn’s NIH T32 Pre-Doctoral Program in Regenerative Engineering, an NIH Diversity Award Pre-Doctoral Training Grant, an NIH Building Infrastructure Leading to Diversity (BUILD) Grant Award, a National Science Foundation Research, Experience and Mentoring Grant, and a grant award from the Department of Education focused on K-12 mentoring.

    Professor Sir Cato T. Laurencin, MD, Ph.D., earned a B.S.E. degree in Chemical Engineering from Princeton University. He completed Harvard Medical School earning his M.D. Magna Cum Laude and completed his Ph.D. in biochemical engineering/biotechnology from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

    UConn senior Josiah Mendez with Dr. Laurencin.

    At UConn Laurencin is the University Professor and Albert and Wilda Van Dusen Distinguished Endowed Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at UConn School of Medicine, professor of Chemical Engineering, professor of Materials Science and Engineering, and professor of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Connecticut. He is chief executive officer of The Cato T. Laurencin Institute for Regenerative Engineering, a cross-university institute created in his honor at the University of Connecticut.

    Laurencin is the recipient of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, AAAS Mentor Award, the Beckman Award for Mentoring and the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Engineering and Math Mentoring. Besides the Scholars House Award named for him, the Society for Biomaterials created the Cato T. Laurencin, M.D., Ph.D. Travelling Fellowship, the W. Montague Cobb/NMA Institute and the National Medical Association created the Cato T. Laurencin Lifetime Research Achievement Award, and the American Institute of Chemical Engineers created the Cato T. Laurencin Regenerative Engineering Founder’s Award, honoring his work as the pioneer of the field of Regenerative Engineering.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    May 30, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: VIDEO: Fischer Highlights Mental Health Awareness in Agriculture Day

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Nebraska Deb Fischer

    Today, U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) issued the following video to promote mental health in the ag industry and workforce on ‘Mental Health Awareness in Agriculture Day.’

    Earlier this month, the Senate unanimously approved Fischer’s resolution designating May 29th as ‘Mental Health Awareness in Agriculture Day.’ The resolution shines a light on the unique challenges agricultural producers face, while highlighting the resources available to those in need of assistance. 

    Click the image above to view a video of Fischer’s remarks

    Click here to download audio

    Click here to download video

     

    Mental Health Resources:

    Click here to learn about national resources available for those in need of assistance.
    Click here to learn about Nebraska resources available for those in need of assistance.

    Full Video Transcript: 

    Hello, this is Senator Deb Fischer. 

    Throughout my life, I’ve had many roles – daughter, wife, mother, school board member, and now as the U.S. Senator for Nebraska.

    Yet, one of the most challenging roles I’ve had is that of a cattle rancher, on our family ranch.

    As our agriculture producers and workforce know, working in the ag industry is not for the faint of heart – and feeding and fueling our world is no easy task.

    We face numerous challenges – from weather to volatile commodity prices. 

    These daily uncertainties can take a toll. It’s why farmers and ranchers face higher levels of stress and anxiety.

    Sadly, farmer suicide rates are two to five times higher than the national average.

    That’s why, today, on Mental Health Awareness Day in Agriculture, I want to take a moment to remind our ag producers and farmworkers that there are resources available for those who may be struggling.

    To our farmers and ranchers: Thank you for helping to feed and fuel the world. We appreciate the hard work you do every single day. 

     

    MIL OSI USA News –

    May 30, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: NIH scientists pioneer promising treatment for intractable cancer pain

    Source: US Department of Health and Human Services – 2

    News Release
    Thursday, May 29, 2025

    RTX is a non-addictive pain therapy derived from a cactus-like plant.
    National Institute of Health (NIH) scientists report that a first-in-human clinical trial of a new therapy based on the plant-derived molecule resiniferatoxin (RTX) shows that it is a safe and effective agent for pain control in patients with intractable cancer pain. Researchers tested a single injection of small quantities of RTX into the lumbar cerebral spinal fluid (by lumbar puncture) of advanced-stage cancer patients and found that it reduced their reported worst pain intensity by 38% and their use of pain-relieving opioids by 57%.
    “The effects are immediate,” said Andrew Mannes, M.D., lead study author and chief of the NIH Clinical Center Department of Perioperative Medicine. “This is a potential new therapy from a new family of drugs that gives people with severe cancer pain an opportunity to return some normality to their lives.”
    The trial enrolled research participants with terminal end-stage cancer who were among the 15% of cancer patients unable to find pain relief from standard of care pain interventions, including vast quantity of opiates without relief.
    A single injection of RTX provided patients durable relief. Patients’ need for pain-relieving opioids declined sharply, and their quality of life improved. They no longer needed to spend significant periods being sedated with opioids and after treatment were able to reengage with their family, friends and communities.
    The NIH scientists believe RTX has potential to treat many other pain conditions, including other types of cancer pain, chronic pain from nerve injuries called neuromas, post-surgical pain, a facial pain condition called trigeminal neuralgia, and chronic oral inflammatory problems following head and neck radiation therapy.
    “Targeting specific nerves brings many pain disorders into range of RTX and allows physicians to tailor the treatment to the patient’s pain problem. This interventional approach is a simple path to personalized pain medicine,” said senior study author Michael Iadarola, PhD, a senior research scientist in the NIH Clinical Center Department of Perioperative Medicine.
    RTX is not addictive and doesn’t cause a high. Instead, it prevents pain signals from reaching the brain by inactivating a specific sub-group of nerve fibers which transmit heat and pain signals from damaged tissue. RTX is an activator of the transient receptor potential vanilloid 1, or  TRPV1 ion channel and a super-potent equivalent of capsaicin, the active molecule in hot peppers. The ability of RTX to open the channel pore in TRPV1 allows an overload of calcium to flood into the nerve fiber and block its ability to transmit pain signals.
    “Basically, RTX cuts the pain-specific wires connecting the body to the spinal cord, but leaves many other sensations are intact,” Iadarola said. “These TRPV1 neurons are really the most important population of neurons that you want to target for effective pain relief.”
    Iadarola’s contributions have led decades of basic science research into the neurobiology of pain and pain control. That body of research has informed them that to effectively block pain, you must block it from getting into the spinal cord and from there having it leave the spinal cord to transit to the brain, where we perceive pain.
    Unlike other current approaches that use heat, cold, chemicals, or surgery to non-selectively interrupt nerves to stop pain, RTX targets the specific sensory pathways of tissue damage pain and heat. Other sensory pathways, such as touch, pin prick, pressure, muscle position sense (known as proprioception), and motor function, remain intact. It is not a generalized numbing as occurs with local anesthetics.
    “What makes this unique from all the other things that are out there is this is so highly selective,” Mannes said. “The only thing it seems to take out is heat sensation and pain.”
    RTX is derived from the Euphorbia resinifera plant, a cactus-like plant native to North Africa. Euphorbia extract has been known for 2,000 years to contain an “irritant” substance, which NIH scientists identified how to use for patients through basic research on living cells observed through a microscope. Adding RTX to TRPV1-containing cells caused a visible calcium overload, which Iadarola and Mannes eventually translated into an early-stage human clinical trial.
    The next steps include additional, larger clinical trials to move RTX toward eventual approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and clinical availability.
    This research was supported by the Intramural Research Program of the NIH Clinical Center and NIH’s National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
    About the National Institutes of Health (NIH): NIH, the nation’s medical research agency, includes 27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NIH is the primary federal agency conducting and supporting basic, clinical, and translational medical research, and is investigating the causes, treatments, and cures for both common and rare diseases. For more information about NIH and its programs, visit www.nih.gov.
    NIH…Turning Discovery Into Health®

    Reference:
    Treatment of Intractable Cancer Pain with Resiniferatoxin — An Interim Study 2025. NEJM Evidence. DOI:10.1056/EVIDoa2400423

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

    May 30, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Salinas Reintroduces Bill to Create Scholarship Program for Future Behavioral Health Workers

    Source: US Representative Andrea Salinas (OR-06)

    Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Representative Andrea Salinas (OR-06) reintroduced a bill to grow and strengthen America’s mental and behavioral health workforce. The Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery (STAR) Plus Scholarship Act would create a new scholarship program for students of diverse backgrounds pursuing a degree in the mental health, behavioral health, or substance use disorder treatment professions.

    “We have a drastic shortage of behavioral health workers in America – a shortage that is partly due to the high price tag that comes with obtaining a behavioral health degree,” said Rep. Salinas. “That is why I am proud to reintroduce the STAR Plus Scholarship Act, which would create a new scholarship program for students in the mental and behavioral health fields. My bill would prioritize students from underrepresented backgrounds to ensure that our future workforce is both highly qualified and reflective of the communities they serve. Ultimately, my legislation will break down barriers and encourage more students to pursue this critical line of work.”

    It is estimated that about one in five adults – or about 50 million Americans – struggle with mental illness, many of whom receive no treatment. Meanwhile, 17.1% of Americans report suffering from a substance use disorder, and 96.6% receive no treatment. While the prevalence of mental and behavioral health problems is growing, there are simply not enough providers to meet demand, especially for those living in rural areas or people seeking a provider who looks like them or speaks their primary language.

    However, a significant barrier to entry for mental and behavioral health providers is the cost of attending school. The average graduate with a master’s in social work had $67,000 in debt in 2019. Students pursuing graduate degrees in psychology take on an average debt load between $95,000-$160,000. These figures are even higher for Black and Latino students.

    The STAR Plus Scholarship Act would help address the mental and behavioral health workforce shortage by:

    • Creating a scholarship program for students pursuing a degree to provide substance use disorder treatment, mental health and behavioral health services;
    • Students would be eligible for non-taxable scholarships to cover the costs of their programs;
    • Requiring students to fulfill their obligations in a mental health shortage area or an area where the mean drug overdose rate exceeds the national average;
    • This bill also includes provisions to recuperate funds from students who do not fulfill their obligations;
    • Prioritizing students from groups or populations that are underrepresented in the substance use disorder treatment, behavioral and mental health workforce.

    ​​​​​​​In addition to Rep. Salinas, the STAR Plus Scholarship Act is cosponsored by Reps. Paul Tonko (NY-20) and Dan Goldman (NY-10).

    The legislation is also endorsed by the following organizations: American Association of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, American Association of Psychiatric Pharmacists (AAPP), American Counseling Association (ACA), American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), American Psychiatric Association (APA), American Psychological Association (APA), NAADAC — The Association for Addiction Professionals, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), NAMI Oregon, National Association of Social Workers (NASW), National Council for Mental Wellbeing, Oregon Council of Behavioral Health (OCBH), Young Invincibles.

    “There are simply not enough clinicians to address the mental health crisis in this country,” said American Psychiatric Association CEO and Medical Director Marketa M. Wills, M.D., M.B.A. “The APA applauds Rep. Salinas for introducing The STAR Plus Scholarship Act. This critical legislation would help alleviate the behavioral health care shortage and diversify our workforce to enhance access to much needed care.”

    “The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) applauds Rep. Andrea Salinas for her vision to introduce the STAR Plus Scholarship Act. NASW supports opportunities to grow the social work workforce in a way that allows social workers to afford their education. This legislation would help social workers and other mental health professionals complete their education with the knowledge that they have financial support. This is a step in the right direction to meet the needs of individuals in a mental health professionals shortage area and help bolster the social work workforce,” said Anthony Estreet, PhD, MBA, LCSW-C, Chief Executive Officer, NASW. 

    “The American Psychological Association applauds Congresswoman Salinas for introducing the STAR Plus Scholarship Act. This important legislation would help alleviate the cost of education, which often serves as a barrier to growing the behavioral health workforce, as more prospective psychologists are forced to rely on student loans,” said Arthur C. Evans Jr., PhD, CEO of the American Psychological Association. “By creating a scholarship program for students pursuing a career as a mental health services or substance use disorder treatment provider, the STAR Plus Scholarship Act would ensure that more qualified professionals are trained to meet the needs of underserved communities without having to take on additional student debt.”

    “Access to mental health care cannot be achieved without a skilled and diverse workforce, yet our country faces a severe shortage of mental health and substance use providers,” said Hannah Wesolowski, Chief Advocacy Officer, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). “There is an urgent need to expand and diversify the mental health and substance use workforce to meet the cultural and linguistic needs of people seeking care. Expanding and sustaining scholarship programs is a critical strategy to recruit and retain professionals in this field. NAMI strongly supports Representative Salinas’ STAR Plus Scholarship Act as an investment in building the workforce needed to ensure timely and equitable access to mental health care.”

    “NAADAC is excited and proud to support the STAR Plus Scholarship Act, as creation of these scholarship opportunities is an essential step towards building a more robust and well-trained addiction workforce. NAADAC applauds Representative Salinas for her leadership and recognition of the meaningful difference this policy solution will make in countless lives,” said Terrence Walton, MSW, Executive Director & Chief Executive Officer, NAADAC — The Association for Addiction Professionals.

    To read the full text of this legislation, click here.

    To download a one-page description of this legislation, click here.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

    May 30, 2025
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